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HISTORY OF 



FAYETTE COUNTY 



OHIO 



HER PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS 



FRANK M. ALLEN 

Editor 



With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and 
Genealogical Records of Old Families 



ILLUSTRATED 



1914 
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. 
Indianapolis, Indiana 



DEDICATION. 
This work is respectfully dedicated to 

THE PIONEERS, 

long since departed. May the memory of those who laid down their burdens 
by the wayside ever be fragrant as the breath of summer 
flowers, for their toils and sacrifices have made 
Fayette County a garden of sun- 
shine and delights. 



PREFACE 



All life and achievement is evolution; present wisdom comes from past 
experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exer- 
tion and suffering. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before 
have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and 
states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privi- 
lege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the pres- 
ent conditions of the people of Fayette County. Ohio, with what they 
were one hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin land, 
it has come to be a center of prosperity and civilization, with millions of 
wealth, systems of railways, grand educational institutions, splendid indus- 
tries and immense agricultural and mineral productions. Can any think- 
ing person be insensible to the fascination of the study which discloses the 
aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who so strongly laid the founda- 
tion upon which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of later days? To 
perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record the social, polit- 
ical and industrial progress of the community from its first inception is the 
function of the local historian. A sincere purpose to preserve facts and per- 
sonal memoirs that are deserving of perpetuation, and which unite the pres- 
ent to the past, is the motive for the present publication. A specially valuable 
and interesting department is that one devoted to the sketches of representa- 
tive citizens of these counties whose records deserve preservation because of 
their worth, effort and accomplishment. The publishers desire to extend 
their thanks to the gentlemen who have so faithfully labored to this end. 
Thanks are also due to the citizens of Fayette county for the uniform kind- 
ness with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many 
services rendered in the gaining of necessary information. 

In placing the "History of Fayette County, Ohio," before the citizens, 
the publishers can conscientiously claim that they ha^■e carried out the plan 
as outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has 
been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any error 
of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was 
prepared. Confident that our eft'ort to please will fully meet the approbation 
of the public, we are. 

Respectfully, 

THE PUBLISHERS. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I— RELATED STATE HISTORY 25 

First White Men in Northwest Territory — English and French Claims — 
Three Successive Sovereign Flags Over Present Ohio — Passing of the In- 
dians — Battle of Fallen Timbers — Northwest Territory — Ohio, the First 
Northwest State — Early Settlements — Activities of the Traders — French and 
Indian War — Pontiac's Conspiracy — Northwest Territory and Quebec Act — 
Revolutionary Period — George Rogers Clark and His Campaign — First Sur- 
veys and Early Settlers — Ordinance of 1787 — First Stage of Government 
Under the Ordinance — Second Stage — Organization of the Northwest Terri- 
tory — Representative Stage of Government — First Territorial Legislature — 
Division of 1800 — Census of 1800 — Symmes Purchase and Other Early 
Settlements — County Organization — Indian W^ars — Formation of a New 
State — Date of Ohio's Admission to the Union — Capitals of Northwest Terri- 
tory and Ohio — Constitutional History of Ohio — Military Record — Land 
Grants — Military Lands — Refugee Tract — Road Lands — Canal Grants — 
Zane Sections- — Ministerial Lands — Schools Sections — Ohio Politics — [^)Ound- 
ary Lines — Organization of- Counties and Early Events. 

CHAPTER II— GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY IZ 

Boundaries of Fayette County — Geological Formations — W'ater Courses — 
Drainage — Land Elevation — Rock Formations — The Drift — Gravel and Sand 
—The Soil. 

CHAPTER III— COUNTY ORGANIZATION 11 

County Organizations Leading up to that of Fayette-— Fayette County Created 
— Original Townships — Present Townships. 

CHAPTER IV— EARLY SETTLEMENT 82 

Indian Inhabitants — First Surveys — Land Entries — Early Settlers — Interest- 
ing Incidents — Pioneer Life — Narrative of an Old Pioneer — Early Habits and 
Customs — Pioneer Wedding — Mills and Milling — Taverns — Corn Huskings — 
Hunting — Early Mails — Pigeon Roosts — Sickness — Destruction of Milliken 
Dam — Incidents — A Hermit — Distilleries. 

CHAPTER V— COUNTY GOVERNMENT 106 

Scarcity of Early Records — County Treasury Robbed — Early County Bills — 
First Court House — Second Court Flouse — Present Court House — County 
Jails — Public Drinking Fountain — First County "Safe" — County Infirmary^ 
County Children's Home — Carder Infirmary — County Roads and Pike System 
— County Finances. 

CHAPTER VI— OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION 117 

Presidential Vote in the County — Political Parties — State Senators — State 



CONTENTS. 

Representatives — Presiding Judges — Associate Judges — Common Pleas 
Judges — County Auditors — County Recorders — County Treasurers — Clerks of 
Court — Sheriffs — Probate Judges — Prosecuting Attorneys — Coroners — 
County Suveyors — County Superintendents of Schools — District Assessors — 
County Commissioners — Justices of the Peace. 

CHAPTER VII— TRANSPORTATION 127 

Early Transportation by Freight Wagons and Boats — Th^ First Railroad — 
Bond Issues — Subsequent and Present Roads. 

CHAPTER VIII— EVOLUTION OF AGRICULTURE AND STOCK RAISING_-13Q 
Fayette an Agricultural County — The Soil — Live Stock — Agricultural Statis- 
tics — Drainage — Tiling — County Agricultural Societies — Hog Cholera Epi- 
demics — Corn Shows and Institutes. 

CHAPTER IX— BANKS AND BANKING 135 

Early Barter and Exchange — Money Scarce — "Cut Money" — First Banking in 
Fayette County — First National Bank and Other Banks at Washington C. H. 
— Jeffersonville Banks — Banks at Good Hope, Milledgeville and Blooming- 
burg — 1912 Financial Showing. 

CHAPTER X— NEWSPAPERS OF FAYETTE COUNTY 142 

The Press a Great Civilizing Influence — Fayette County's First Newspaper. 
Freedom's Advocate — Later Newspapers at Washington C. H. — The Jeffer- 
sonville Citizen — Newspapers in Ohio — The First Printing Press in Fayette 
County. 

CHAPTER XI— THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 150 

Value of the Physician — Progress in Medical Science — First and Early 
Doctors in Fayette County — Later Doctors — Physicians of the County in 
1914 — Fayette County Medical Society — City Hospitals. 

■CHAPTER XII— THE BENCH AND BAR 160 

The Judiciary — Legislative Enactments Establishing Judiciary System — The 
First Session of Court in Fayette County — Fayette County Lawyers — Present 
Members of the Bar — Judges of Court of Appeals — Judges Court of Common 
Pleas — Other Court Officers — H. B. Maynard — John J. Harper. 

CHAPTER XIII— MILITARY HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY 172 

Fayette County's Part in the War of 1812 — Transportation of Provisions — 
Mexican War^ — Militia Muster Days — Fayette County in the Civil War — 
Lincoln's Proclamation — Mass Meetings — Enlistments from F'aj'ette Count}- 
Townships — Revolutionary Soldiers in Fayette County — Memorial Hall — 
Names of Fayette County Soldiers — Spanish-American War — A Hero in Two 
W^ars. 

CHAPTER XIV— EDUCATIONAL HISTORY 201 

Great Progress in the Science of Education — The Old and the Modern School 
House — Schools of Washington C. H. — Township Schools — Wayne Central- 
ized School — The Thoughtful School Superintendent. 

CHAPTER XV— SECRET AND FRATERNAL ORDERS 215 

Free and Accepted Masons — Royal Arch Masons— Knights Templar — Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows — The Encampment — Knights of Pythias. 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XVI— HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES 220 

Presbyterian Churches — Methodism in Fayette County — African M. E. 
Church — Methodist Protestant Churches — The Christian Church — United 
Bretliren Churches — -Baptist Societies — Colored Baptist Church — Friends 
Society — Free Church Association — Universalist Church — Protestant Episco- 
pal Church — Church of Christ — Oldest Church Building in the County — 
Catholic Church — Young Men's Christian Association. 

CHAPTER XVII— MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST 245. 

The Temperance Crusade — The Appeal — Counterfeiting — The Funk F"ight — 
A Cruel Indian — Early Criminal C?.ses — Execution of William G. W. Smith — 
Stock Sales — Horse Trading — Capture of Andrew Ellison — A Hot Race — Big 
Riot of 1894— Unique Destruction of a Mill Dam — Immense Petrified Maple 
Log — First Murder Case — F'irst Execution — First Marriages — Centennial 
Anniversary of County — Intoxicated Hogs — Odd Old Record — Garfield 
Memorial Services — McKinley Memorial Services — Population Statistics — 
Great Flood of 1913 — Portrait of McKinley by Local Artist — Automobiles in 
Count}' — Blind Pensioners — Market Quotations. 

CHAPTER XVIII— REMINLSCENCES AND MEMOIRS 274 

"Old Uncle Billy Snider" — "Kelly" Dixon, the Aged Pedestrian — Aged Na- 
tive-born Citizen — Fayette Pioneer at Fort Meigs — Hon. Mills Gardner — 
Judge Richard A. Harrison — Hon. Marshall J. Williams. 

CHAPTER XIX— UNION TOWNSHIP 282. 

Topograph} — Early Settlement — Drainage — Pioneers Who First Located Here. 

CHAPTER XX— JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP 283 

Topography — Natural' Featmes — Early Settlement — Official Annals — First 
Election — Counterfeiters — Mills — Towns and Hamlets- -Jefifersonville. 

CHAPTER XXI— JASPER TOWNSHIP 293. 

Boundaries — First Settlement — "ITncle Johnny" Coons — Towns and Villages — 
Plymouth — Jasper Mills— Allentown (Octa) — Milledgeville. 

CHAPTER XXII— CONCORD TOWNSHIP 299' 

Location — Pioneer Settlers — Sundry Incidents of Early Life — -Mills^-Village 
of Staunton. 

CHAPTER XXIII— GREEN TOWNSHIP 304 

Boundaries and Surveys — Early Settlement — Jesse Rowe — Pioneer Sketches 
— Moons — Mills and Distilleries — Interesting^ Incidents. 

CHAPTER XXIV— PERRY TOWNSHIP 310; 

Location — Organization and First Officers — Settlement — An Indian Scare — 
Milling Interests of Long Ago — New Martinsburg. 

CHAPTER XXV— WAYNE TOW^NSHIP 317 

Place of First White Settlement— The Pioneers— Early Taverns— Indian Hor- 
rors — Village of Good Hope — Other Villages. 

CHAPTER XXVI— MARION TOWNSHIP 324 

Boundaries— First Settlement— Milling— Tanneries— First Election— Villages. 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXVII— PAINT TOWNSHIP 328 

Location— Natural Features— Early Settlement— Minor Incidents— Village of 
Bloomingburg — Some Early Events— Milling Industries — Anti-Slavery Days 
in Bloomingburg— The Temperance Question. 

CHAPTER XXVIII— MADISON TOWNSHIP 337 

Location and Boundaries — Settlement — Early Stores and Shops — Mills- 
Waterloo. 

CHAPTER XXIX— CITY OF WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE 344 

Location— Name— First Business Events — The City in 1815 — First and Early 
Events — Municipal Government — City Finances — Fire Department — Early- 
day Council Proceedings — Old Times — Manufacturing Industries — Industries 
of 1901 — Great Sales Stables— Proposed Car Lines — Natural Gas Prospects 
— Present Business Interests — Washington Cemetery — Postof^ce History — 
Cyclone of 1885— Great Fire of 1911— Public Library. 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



A 

Adams County 53 

African M. E. Church 230 

Agricultural Societies 133 

Agricultural Statistics 131 

Agriculture 130 

Allen County 53 

Allentown 299 

Amendments to Constitution 42,51 

Ashland County 53 

Ashtabula County 53 

Associate Judges 120 

Athens County 53 

Attorneys ^ 161 

Auditors, County 121 

Auglaize County 53 

Automobiles in County 272 

B 

Bank of Fayette 137 

Banks and Banking 135 

Baptist Churches 234 

Battle of Fallen Timbers 26, 2)7 

Battle of Fort Meigs 278 

Belmont County 54 

Bench and Bar 160 

Bills, Early County 107 

Blind Pensioners 272 

Bloomingburg . 332 

Anti-Slavery Days 334 

Business Interests 337 

Churches 220, 228 

Early Events 333 

Election, First 333 

First Things 333 

Lodges 214, 219 

Mayors 337 

Milling Industries 333 

Municipal History 337 



Bloomingburg — Con. 

Peoples Bank 141 

Platting of 332 

Population 269 

Postoffice History 336 

Schools 210 

Temperance Issue 335 

Bogus Road 325 

Boundaries of Fayette County IZ 

Boundaries of Ohio, Original Zl 

Boundaries of State 51 

Brown County 54 

Butler County 54 

C 

Caljin, Pioneer 90 

Canal Grants 48 

Capital Permanently Located 40 

Capitals of Northwest Territory 39 

Carder Infirmary 113 

Carroll County 5-. 

Catholic Church 240 

Census of Northwest Territory 33 

Centennial Anniversary of County 

Champaign County 54 

Children's Home 113 

Christian Church 232 

Church History 220 

Church of Christ 240 

Citizens Bank, Jeffersonville 140 

City Hospitals 159 

Civil War 175 

Claims to Ohio Territory 26 

Claims to Territory 25 

Clark County 54 

Clerks of the Court 122 

Clermont County 54 

Clinton County 54 

Colored Baptist Church 237 

Columbiana County 54 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



'Commercial Bank 138 

Commissioners, County 124 

Common Pleas Judges 120, 169 

■Concord Township 301 

Boundary 301 

Churches 225 

First Settlers 301 

Incidents 30- 

Mills 303 

Pioneers 302 

Schools 205 

'Congress Lands 47 

Connecticut Reserve 35, 45 

Conspiracy of Pontiac 28 

Constitutional Amendments 42, 51 

Constitutional Conventions 40 

Constitutional History 40, 51 

■Convenience 325 

Conventions, Constitutional 40 

Corn-Cracker 97 

Corn Huskings 99 

'Corn Shows 134 

Coroners 124 

Coshocton County 54 

Counterfeiting 249 

Counties, Organization of 53 

County Auditors 121 

County Bills, Early 107 

County Children's Home 113 

County Commissioners 124 

County Finances 115 

Count}' Government 106 

County Infirmary 112 

County Jails 110 

County Military History 172 

County Organization 35 

County Politics 117 

■County Recorders 122 

County Roads 114 

County Surveyors 124 

County Treasurers 122 

County Treasury Robbed 106 

Court House, First 107 

Court House, Present : 109 

Court House, Second 108 

Court of Appeals 168 

Court Officers 169 

Courts, The 160 

■Crawford County 56 

-Creamer, Wallace 276 



Criminal Cases, Early 250 

Cruel Indian 254 

Crusade, The Temperance 245 

Cunningham Station 300 

Cut Money 135 

Cuyahoga County 54 

Cyclone of 1885 362 

D 

Darke County 56 

Defiance County 56 

Delaware County 56 

Destruction of Milliken's Dam__102, 262 

Distilleries 105 

District Assessor 124 

Division of 1800 33 

Dixon, "Kelly" 275 

Doctors, Early 150 

Dohrman's Grant 47 

Drainage Ti, 131 

Drinking Fountain 111 

E 

Earl}' Criminal Cases 250 

Early Doctors 150 

Early Habits and Customs 96 

Early Mails 102 

Early Settlement 82 

Educational History 201 

Ellison, Andrew, Capture of 259 

Enlistments in Civil War 177 

Episcopal Church 239 

Erie County 56 

Explorations, First 25 

F 

Fairfield County 57 

Fallen Timbers, Battle of 26, Zl 

Farmers' Bank, Good Hope 140 

Farmers Bank, Jeffersonville 139 

Farmers' Institutes 134 

Fayette County 57, 78 

Fayette County Bank 137 

Fayette County Bar 168 

Fayette County Boundaries IZ 

Fayette County Medical Society 159 

Fayette County Organized 11 

Fayette County Soldiers : 180 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



Finances of County 115 

-First Court House 107 

First Court in Washington 160 

First Explorations 25 

First Land Entries 83 

P'irst Murder Case 264 

First National Bank 136 

First Printing Press in County 149 

First Railroad 127 

First Surveys 29, 83 

First Territorial Legislature 32 

Flood of 1913 270 

Formation of Ohio Zl 

Fort Meigs, Battle of 278 

Fountain, Public Drinking 111 

Franklin County 57 

Fraternal Societies 213 

Free and Accepted Masons 213 

Free Church Association 238 

French and Indian War 27 

French Grant 44 

French Settlements 26 

Friends Society 237 

Fulton County 57 

Funk Fight 251 

G 

Gallia County 58 

Gardner, Mills 278 

Garfield Memorial Services 267 

Geauga County 58 

Geology 73 

Ghormley 325 

Glenden 298 

Good Hope 323 

Business Interests 324 

Churches 235 

Farmers Bank 140 

Location 323 

Population 270 

Postofifice 324 

Schools 209 

Survey 323 

Government, Territorial 30 

Governors of Ohio 50 

Green Township 306 

Churches 225 

Distilleries 310 

Mills 310 



Green Township — Con. 

Organization of 79 

Pioneer Sketches 306 

Population 269 

Schools 206 

Settlement 306 

Greene County 58 

Greenville Treaty 37 

Guernsey County 57 

H 

Hamilton County 58, 11 

Hancock County 59 

Hanging of W. G. W. Smith 250 

Hardin County 59 

Harper, John James 170 

Harrison, Batteal 86, 276 

Harrison County 59 

Harrison, Richard A. 278 

Harrison, William Henry 31, 33 

Henry County 58 

Hermit, A. 105 

Hero in Two Wars 200 

Highland County 59, 78 

Hocking County 60 

Hog Cholera 134 

Hogs Intoxicated 266 

Holmes County 60 

Horse Trading 259 

Hospitals 159 

Hunting 100 

Huron County 60 

I 

Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 216 

Indian, A Cruel 254 

Indian Tribes _ 26, 82 

Indian Wars 36 

Infirmary, County 112 

Intoxicated Hogs 266 

J 

Jackson County 60 

Jails 110 

Jasper Mills 298 

Jasper Station 298 

Jasper Township — 

Churches 224 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



Jasper Township — Con. 

Organization of 80 

Population 269 

Schools 205 

Settlement 295 

Jefferson County 60 

Jefiferson Township — 

Annals 288 

Churches 224, 234 

Mills 290 

Organization of 78 

Population 269 

Schools 204 

Settlement 285 

Surveys 285 

Topography 285 

JefTersonville 291 

Business Interests 292 

Churches 228, 232, 238 

Citizens Bank 140 

Farmers Bank 139 

Incorporation of 290 

Lodge 215, 218 

Mayors 293 

Population 269 

Postoffice 293 

Schools 210 

Johnson's Crossing 329 

Judges 120 

Judiciary, the 160 

Justices of the Peace 126 

K 

Knights of Pythias 218 

Knights Templar 214 

Knox County 61 

L 

Lake County 63 

Land Elevation 74 

Land Entries, F'irst 83 

Land Grants of Ohio 44 

Land Surveys 29 

Lawrence County 63 

Lawyers 161 

Legislature. Territorial, First 32 

Licking County 62 

L-ncoln's Proclamation 176 

Lodges 213 



Logan, Chief 60 

Logan County 62 

Lorain County 62 

Losantiville 35 

Lucas County 61 

Mc 
McKinley Memorial Services 267 

M 

Madison County 63 

Madison Township 339 

Boundaries 339 

Churches 227, 231, 234 

Early Stores 342 

Mills 343 

Organization of 79 

Population 269 

Schools 208 

Settlement ' 339 

Stores, Early 342 

Mahoning County 63 

Mails, Early 102 

Manara 329 

Marion County 63 

Marion Township 326 

Boundaries 326 

Ciiurches 227 

Milling Interests 326 

Organization of 81 

Population 269 

Schools 208 

Settlement 326 

Market Quotations 272 

Marriages, First 264 

Masonic Order 213 

Maumee Road Lands 47 

Maynard, H. B. 169 

Medical Profession 150 

Medical Society 159 

Medina County 63 

Meigs County 64 

Memorial Hall 178 

Memorial Services 267 

Mercer County 64 

Merchants and Farmers Bank 137 

Methodist Episcopal Churches 222 

Methodist Protestant Churches 230 

Mexican War 173 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



Miami County 64 

Midland National Bank 139 

Military History of County 172 

Military Lands 46 

Military Record of Ohio 42 

Militia Muster Days 173 

Milliken's Dam Destroyed 103, 262 

Mills and Milling ^^ 

Ministerial Lands • 48 

Miscellaneous Items 245 

Milledgeville 299 

Bank 141 

Beginnings 299 

Business Interests . 300 

Population 269 

Postmasters 300 

Milledgeville Bank 141 

Monroe County 65 

Montgomery County 65 

Moons 309 

MoraA'ian Grant 47 

Morgan County 65 

Morrow County 65 

Murder Case, the First 264 

Muskington County 65 

Muster Days 173 

N- 

New Holland 329 

New Lexington 332, 337 

New Martinsburg 314 

Newspapers 142 

Noble County 66 

Northwest Territory 25, 31, 33 

O 

Octa 299 

Odd Fellows 216 

Ohio Admitted to the Union 38 

Ohio Created 37 

Ohio-Erie Canal 35 

Ohio Land Company 34, 44 

Ohio, Original Boundaries 37 

Ohio Politics 49 

Ohio's Military Record 42 

Ohio's Natal Day 38 

Oldest Church in County 240 

Ordinance of 1787 29 



Organization of Counties 53 

Organization of Fayette County 11 

Organization of Northwest Terri- 
tory 31 

Original Townships 78 

Ottawa County 66 

P 

Paint Township 330 

Boundaries 330 

Churches 227, 235 

Incidents 332 

Organization of 79 

Population 269 

Schools 208 

Settlement 330 

Pancoastburg 344 

Paulding County 66 

Pensioners, Blind 272 

Peoples and Drovers Bank.: 138 

Peoples Bank, Bloomingburg 141 

Perry County 66 

Perry Township 312 

Churches 225, 237 

Indian Scare 313 

Milling Interests 315 

Officers, First 312 

Organization of 81 

Population 269 

Schools 207 

Settlement 312 

Petrified Log 264 

Physicians of the County 151 

Pickaway County 66 

Pigeon Roosts 10- 

Pike County 67 

Pike System . 114 

Pioneer Incidents 104 

Pioneer Life ^0 

Pioneer Wedding 96 

Plymouth — , 298 

Politics in the State 49 

Politics of County H' 

Pontiac's Conspiracy 28 

Population Statistics 2(i8 

Population, Territorial 33 

Portage County 66 

Preble County 67 

Presbyterian Churches 220 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



Present Court House 109 

Present Physicians 158 

Present Railroads 129 

Present Townships 80 

Presidential Vote 117 

Presiding Judges 120 

Press, P'irst Printing 149 

Probate Judges 123 

Prosecuting Attorneys 123 

Public Drinking Fountain 111 

Putnam County 67 

Q 

Quebec Act 28 

R 

Railroad, the First 127 

Railroads, Present 129 

Recorders, County 122 

Refugee Tract 46 

Related State History 25 

Religious History 220 

Reminiscences 274 

Representative Government 31 

Representatives 119 

Revolutionary Period 28 

Revolutionary Soldiers 178 

Richland County 68 

Riot of 1894 261 

Roads, County 114 

Robberies 106 

Rock Formations 74 

Rockville 325 

Ross County 67, 11 

Royal Arch Masons 214 

S 

St. Clair, Arthur 31, 33, 36 

Salt Sections 48 

Sandusky County 68 

School Houses 202 

School Sections 49 

Scioto County 69 

Second Court House 108 

Secret Societies ^ 213 

Seldon Station 300 

Senators, State 118 

Seneca County 69 



Settlement, Early 82 

Settlers, Early 84 

Shelby County 68 

Sheriffs 123 

Sickness in Early Days 102 

Snider, "Uncle Billy" 274 

Soldiers from Fayette County 180 

Spanish-American War 43, 199 

Stark County 68 

State Boundary Lines 51 

State Capital Permanently Located 40 

State History 25 

State Military Record 42 

State Politics 49 

State Senators 118 

Statistics, Agricultural 131 

Staunton 303 

Stock Raising 130 

Stock Sales 258 

Streams 73 

Summit County 68 

Superintendent of Schools 124 

Surveyors, County 124 

Surveys, First 29, 83 

Symmes Purchase 34, 45 

T 

Taverns 99, 321 

Temperance Crusade 245 

Territorial Capitals 39 

Territorial County Organization 35 

Territorial Government 30 

Territorial Legislature, First 32 

The Press 142 

Topography 73 

Township Schools 204 

Townships, Original 78 

Townships, Present 80 

Transportation 127 

Treasurers, County 122 

Treaty of Greenville 2il 

Trumbull County 69 

Turnpike Lands 48 

Tuscarawas County 70 

U 

Union County 70 

L^nion Township — 

Boundary 282 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



Union Township — Con. 

Drainage 282 

Organization of 79 

Population 269 

Settlement 282 

Topography 282 

United Brethren Churches 234 

Universalist Church 238 

V 

Van Wert County 70 

Vinton County 70 

Virginia Military District 35, 46 

Votes on Constitution 40 

W 

War Enrollments 177 

War for Independence 28 

War, French and Indian 27 

War Mass Meetings 177 

Warren County 71 

Wars, Indian 36 

Washington County 70, Tj 

Washington C. H. 346 

Banks __ 136 

Cem.etery 359 

Churches 220, 222, 230, 232, 236, 239 

City Finances 351 

Council Proceedings 352 

Cyclone of 1885 362 

Description, Early 348 

Early Events 349 

Fire Department 351 

Fire of 1911 363 

First Business Interests 347 

I^ibrary 364 

Lodges 213 

Manufacturing Industries 352 

Mayors 350 

Municipal Afifairs 350 



Washington C. H. — Con. 
Name 345 

Natural Gas 353 

Officers, City 350 

Old Times 353 

Population 269 

Postoffice History 360 

Present Industries 359 

Proposed Car Lines 358 

Sales Stables 357 

Schools 203, 210 

Survey 346 

Y. M. C. A. 242 

Washington Sav. Bk. and Tr. Co 138 

Water Courses "z}) 

Waterloo 344 

Wayne, Gen. Anthony 37 

Wayne Centralized School 209 

Wayne County 71, T] 

Wayne Township 319 

Churches 226 

Indian Horrors . 321 

Oldest White Settlement 319 

Organization of 79 

Pioneers 319 

Population 269 

Schools 209 

Taverns, Early 321 

Wedding, Pioneer 96 

White Men, First 25 

Williams County 71 

Williams, Marshall J. 280 

Wood County 71 

V-yandot County 71 



Young Men's Christian Association,. 242 



Zane Sections 



48 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



A 

Adams, Jared F. 386 

Allen, David 486 

Allen, Ephraim L. 654 

Allen, Frank M 656 

Allen, George 726 

Allen, Joel A 576 

Allen, Ralph 650 

Allen, William Wagner 622 

Anderson, John Wesley 412 

Andrews, Robert G. 459 

Arnott, Joseph M. 747 

B 

Baer, Clarence N. 646 

Baker, John Morgan 727 

Barnes, John L. 659 

Baughn, Leondis 591 

Beatty, Scott 715 

Binegar, Hugh W. 652 

Black, Dr. Francis Marion 718 

Bostwick, William Clay 490 

Brock, Glenn Hire 608 

Brock, Orville C. 510 

Brown, Harrison F. 380 

Brown, Roy E., M. D 464 

Brown, Tolen E. 406 

Browne, Charles St. Clair 617 

Brownell, Charles Herbert 748 

Brownell, Henry Barnett 750 

Bryant, Abner J. 586 

Bush, Edward L. 455 

c 

Campbell, James W. 753 

Campbell, William M. 722 

Cannon, Urban W 562 

Carr, Salathiel H. 597 

Casey, Henry 451 

Clemans, Rev. F. M 664 



Clover, Thomas H. 475 

Cockerill, Edward E. 704 

Cockerill, Luther G. 638 

Coffey, Charles F. 384 

Coffman, Lewis Clark 426 

Coil, Jacob H. 594 

Cole, James 600 

Cook, Benjamin Franklin 466 

Cook, Clyde 636 

Corbitt, Samuel Morgan 560 

Couch, John G 487 

Craig, David S. 370 

Craig, Eli 370 

Craig, John 414 

Creamer, Charles Crum 472 

Creamer, Michael C. 488 

Creamer, Nathan 429 

Creamer, Wallace 496 

Creath, O. Wade 571 

Culhan, John H. 373 

D 

Dahl, Harris B. 698 

Davies, William W. 383 

Davis, Jesse B. 521 

Dawson, Alexander 712 

Deer, John M. 428 

DeWitt, Frank 745 

DeWitt, Grant 741 

DeWitt, Jesse 677 

DeWitt, John E. 635 

Dial, William H. 410 

Dickey, Martin Luther 640 

Dill, Frank 436 

Dill. William B. 517 

Dixon, Kelley 453 

Douglas, Edward W. 614 

Draper, William S. 538 

Duff, Henry Walker 531 

Duffee, James W. 569 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



E 

Eckle, Maynard W. 441 

Eggleston, Lafaj'ette 539 

Elliott, Hugh E. 695 

Elliott, Milton S 678 

England, Thomas J. 457 

Ervin, Craton 514 

Ervin, Ford 739 

F 

Fitchthorn, James W. 737 

Foster, Howard 505 

Frayn, William 616 

Free, John E. . 682 

G 

Gardner, Mills 720 

Garrett, Homer A. 607 

Gilmerr, Matthew 731 

Glaze, Charles C. 626 

Glickner, George N. 734 

Gossard, Jeptha H. 557 

Green, Felix Welton 596 

Greenlee, Robert B. 728 

H 

Hadley, Hon. Horace Langdon 448 

Hagler, Jesse 732 

Hagler, Roy 729 

Haigler, Albert _"___ 483 

Haigler, J. W. 716 

Haines, Frank E. 629 

Hains, Albert 463 

Hardway, Capt. O. E 628 

Harper, Joseph H. 393 

Harper, Thomas 740 

Hartman, James M. 590 

Hays, Delbert C. 420 

Hays, Capt. John C. 522 

Hegler, Aimer 655 

Henkle, Anda E. 421 

Henkle, Jason F. 578 

Henkle, William L. 584 

Hire, Henry L. 447 

Holdren, G. W.. M. D 546 

Holdren, William A 661 

Hopkins, John E. 733 



Hopkins, Josiah 574 

Hoppes, Henry 688 

Howard, Jared W. 482 

Howat, Robert 423 

Howell, Luther Peterson, M. D 397 

Huchison, John R. 668 

Huchison, William S. 444 

Hutson, Frank 642 

Hutson, James Homer 556 

I 
Irwin, Luther M. __: 616 

J 

Jamison, Benjamin Franklin 431 

Janes, Abel H. 518 

Janes, Evan Lewis 632 

Janes, William Wallace 438 

Jenkins, Thomas A. 736 

Jones, Humphrey 416 

K 

Kellough, Jesse P. 503 

Kennell, Jacob V. 707 

Kirk, Traine C. 536 

Knecht, Martin 528 

L 

Ladd, \\^illiani Glenn 525 

LaFollette, Climpson L 484 

Lininger, Charles 697 

Lininger, Jesse B. 633 

Lininger, John 637 

Logan, John 432 

Long, David 744 

Long, Lenna 513 

Looker, Howard W. 545 

Lough, Washington 612 

Lucas, Alcester 630 

Lynch, Charles T. 592 

Mc 

McClure, Roy T. 388 

McCoy, Charles C. 509 

McCoy, Elmer 495 

McCoy, Frank 461 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



McCoy, George W. 543 

McCoy, Martin I 604 

McCoy, Russell B. -_ 613 

McCoy, Thomas Glenn 467 

McCoy, Thomas R. 694 

McCune, David C. 671 

McLean, Charles R. 610 

M 

Maddox, Robert A. 378 

Maddox, Thomas S. 377 

Mahan, Joshua 458 

Mark, Henry 621 

Miller, James L. 520 

Millikan, Col. Baldwin Hartzell 532 

Mock, David 474 

Mock, Eli 544 

Mowery, Perry C. 499 

O 
Ortman, Philip F. 492 

P 

Palmer, Thomas M 527 

Parker, Charles B. 404 

Parker, William S. 553 

Parrett, Carey George 502 

Parrett, Charles H. 549 

Parrett, Edward Ankney 471 

Parrett, Frank C. 724 

Parrett, Frank L. 573 

Parrett, George B. 672 

Parrett, John A. 516 

Parrett, Lawson A. 683 

Parrett, L. Ervin 568 

Parrett, Lewis Hamilton 565 

Parrett, Russell 506 

Parrett, Capt. Thomas F. 674 

Patterson, William John 424 

Perrill, C. H. 706 

Perrill, James 477 

Perrill, James T. 754 

Perrill, John 756 

Perrill, Louis 708 

Peters, Alvin N. 609 

Peters, John H. 551 

Pine, Bruce 606 

Plymire, Martin 643 

Post, Edward 663 

Post, Hon. James D 710 



Priddy, Elias 696 

Pummell, Robert M. 469 

R 

Reid, Hon. Charles A. 400 

Rook, John H. 670 

Rowe, William Henry 581 

S 

Saum, William A. 662 

Selsor, William Johnson 480 

Sharp, Morris 367 

Sheley, William H. 713 

Shelley, Luther L. 702 

Sheridan, Charles E. 615 

Shultz, Samuel E. 512 

Siemon, George F. 625 

Smidley, Floyd R. 580 

Smidley, George 743 

Smith, Jacob C. 752 

Snider, Ffugh 645 

Sorrell, Robert W. 691 

Steers, William Thomas 692 

Stevens, Ennis 561 

Stitt, Howard Leigh, M. D 402 

Stitt, Joseph Young 434 

Sturgeon, William E. 651 

Swope, Abner R. 648 

T 

Taylor, Daniel 395 

Taylor, Jerome 701 

Tharp, William A. 439 

Thompson, Harlan T. 476 

Thornton, Amos 407 

Thornton, Noah 583 

Turner, Thaddeus T. 735 

Tway, David W. 624 

V 

Vannorsdall, Frank C. 526 

Vannorsdall, James Riley 738 

Van Pelt, Samuel 559 

Van Pelt, Simon P. 687 

W 
Waples, Isaac 508 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 

Welton, Jesse 719 Wissler, David H. 494 

West, Cyrus Patterson 680 Wissler, Jacob A. 479 

Wej'er, Jacob A. 564 Wissler, Ulysses Grant 500 

Whiteside, Frank E. 566 Wolfe, Silas 690 

Wilcox. Nathan C. 442 Worthington, William 587 

Wilkin, Harley T. 446 Wright, Jacob 555 

Willis, James M. 375 

Willis, James William 390 Y 

Wilson, Elba 603 

Wilson, Horace W. 599 

Wilson, Ray 602 

Wilson, William Wesley 540 

Wissler, Charles 550 

Wissler, Clarence 530 Zimmerman, George Elba 497 



Yeoman, Osco 685 

Yore, Charles 554 



Z 



HISTORICAL 



CHAPTER I. 



RELATED STATE HISTORY. 



The first white men to set foot upon the Northwest Territory were 
French traders and missionaries nnder the leadership of La Salle. This 
was about the year 1670 and subsequent discoveries and explorations in this 
region by the French gave that nation practically undisputed possession of 
all the territory organized in 1787 as the Northwest Territory. It is true 
that the Fnglish colonies of Virginia, Connecticut and Massachusetts claimed 
that their charters extended their grants westward to the Mississippi river. 
However, France claimed this territory and successfully maintained posses- 
sion of it until the close of the French and Indian War in 1763. At that 
time the treaty of Paris transferred all of the PTench claims east of the 
Mississippi river to England, as well as all claims of France to territory on 
the mainland of North America. For the next twenty years the Northwest 
Territory was under the undisputed control of England, but became a part 
of the United States l>y the treaty wdiich terminated the Revolutionary War 
in 1783. Thus the flags of three nations have floated oxer the territory now 
comprehended within the present state of Ohio — the tri-color of France, the 
union jack of England and the stars and stripes of the United States. 

History will record the fact tliat there was another nation, howe\er, 
which claimed possession of this territory and, while the Indians can hardlv 
be called a nation, yet they made a gallant fight to retain their hunting 
grounds. The real owners of this territory struggled against heavv odds 
to maintain their supremacy and it was not imtil the battle of Tippecanoe, in 
tb.e fall of 181 1, that the Indians gave up the unequal struggle. Tecumseh, 
the Washington of his race, fought fiercely to save this territory for his 
people, but the white man finally overwdielmed him, and 'T^o, the poor Indian" 
was pushed westward across the Mississippi. The history of the Northwest 
Territory is full of the bitter fights which the Indian waged in tr^■ing to drive 



26 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the white man out and the defeat which the Indians inflicted on General 
St. Clair on November 4, 1792, will go down in the annals of American 
history as the worst defeat which an American army ever suffered at the 
hands of the Indians. The greatest battle which has ever been fought in the 
I'nited States against the Indians occurred in the state of Ohio. This was 
the battle of Fallen Timl)ers and occurred August 20, 1794, the scene of 
the battle being within the i)resent county of Defiance. After the close 
of the Revolutionary War tlie Indians, urged on by the British, caused the 
settlers in the Northwest Territory continual troul)le and defeated e\'ery de- 
tachment sent against them previous to their defeat by Gen. Anthony Wayne 
at the battle of P'allen Timl)ers in 1794. Although there was some trouble 
with the Indians after this time, they never offered serious resistance after 
this memorable defeat until the fall of 181 1, when Gen. William Henry Har- 
rison completely routed them at the battle of Tippecanoe. 

NORTHW^EST TERRITORY (167O-I754). 

Ohio was the first state created out of the old Northwest Territory, 
although Indiana had l)een previously organized as a territory. When the 
land comprehended within the Northwest Territorv was disco\"ered b}' the 
French under La Salle about 1670, it was a battle ground of various Indian 
tribes, although the Fries, who were located along the shores of Lake Frie, 
were the only ones with a more or less definite territor}^ From 1670 tO' 
1763, the close of the French and Indian War, th.e French were in possession 
of this territory and estalilished their claims in a positive manner by exten- 
si\'e exploration and scattered settlements. The chief centers of French 
settlement were at Detroit, Vincennes. Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Fort Crevecour 
and at several missionary stations around the shores of the great lakes. The 
French did not succeed in doing this without incurring the hostility of the 
Iroquois Indians, a bitter enemity which was l^rought about chiefly because 
the French helped the Shawnees, Wyandots and Miamis to drive the Iroquois 
out of the territory west of the Muskingum river in Ohio. 

It must not be forgotten that the English also laid claim to the North- 
west Territory, basing their claim on the discoveries of the Cabots and the 
subsecjuent charters of Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecticut. These 
charters extended the limits of these three colonies westward to the Pacific 
ocean, although, as a matter of fact, none of the three colonies made a settle- 
ment west of the Alleghanies until after the RcA-oIutionarv W^ar. New York 
sought to strengthen her claim to territory west of the Alleghanies in 1701, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 2/ 

by getting from the Jrcxjiiois, the bitter enemies of the French, a grant to the 
territory from which the French and their Indian alhes had previously ex- 
pelled them. Although this grant was renewed in 1726 and again confirmed 
in 1744, it gave New^ York only a nominal claim and one which was never 
recognized by the French in any w^ay. 

English traders from Pennsylvania and Virginia began in 1730 to pay 
more attention to the claims of their country west of the Alleghanies and 
north of the Ohio river. When their activities reached the ears of the French 
the governor of French Canada sent Celeron de Bienville up and down the 
Ohio and the rivers and streams running into it from the north and took 
formal possession of the territory,, by planting lead plates at the mouth of 
every river and stream of any importance. This peculiar method of the 
French in seeking to establish their claims occurred in the year 1749 and 
opened the eyes of England to the necessity of taking some immediate action. 
George II, the king of England at the time, at once granted a charter for the 
first Ohio Company (there were two others by the same name later organized), 
composed of London merchants and enterprising Virginians, and the com- 
panv at once proceeded to formulate plans to secure possession of the territory 
north of the Ohio and west of the Mississippi. Christopher Gist was sent 
down the Ohio river in 1750 to explore the country as far west as the mouth 
of the Scioto river, and made several treaties with the Indians. Things 
were now rapidly approaching a crisis and it w^as soon evident that there 
W'Ould be a struggle of arms between England and France for the disputed 
region. In 1754 the English started to build a fort at the confluence of the 
Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, on the site of the present city of Pitts- 
burgh, but before the fort was completed the French appeared on the scene, 
drove the English away and finished the fort which had been begun. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR ( 1 754-63). 

The crisis had finally come. The struggle which followed between the 
two nations ultimately resulted in the expulsion of the French from the 
mainland of America as well as from the immediate territory in dispute. 
The war is known in America as the French and Indian War and in the 
history of the world as the Seven Years' War, the latter designation being 
due to the fact that it lasted that length of time. The struggle developed 
into a world-wide conflict and the two nations fought over three continents, 
America, Europe and Asia. It is not wn'thin the province of this resume of 
the history of Ohio to go into the details of this memorable struggle. It is 



.28 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

sufficient for the |;iirp()se at hand to state that the treaty of Paris, which 
terminated the war in 1763, left France without any of her former posses- 
sions on the mainland of America. 

PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY (1763-64). 

With the English in control of America east of the Mississippi river and 
the French regime forever ended, the Indians next command the attention 
of the historian who deals with the Northwest Territory. The French were 
nndouljtedly responsible for stirring up their former Indian allies and 
Pontiac's conspiracy must be credited to the influence of that nation. This 
formidable uprising was successfully overthrown by Henry Bouquet, who 
led an expedition in 1764 into the present state of Ohio and compelled the 
W^vandots, Delawares and Shawnees to sue for peace. 

NORTHWEST TERRITORY AND QUEBEC ACT. 

From 1764 to 1774, no events of particular importance occurred within 
the territorv north of tlie Ohio rix'cr, but in the latter year (June 22, 1774). 
England, then at the breaking point with the colonies, passed the Quebec 
act, which attached this territory to the province of Quebec for administrative 
purposes. This intensified the feeling of resentment which the colonies 
bore against their mother country and is given specific mention in their list 
of grievances which they enumerated in their Declaration of Independence. 
1 he Revolutionary War came on at once and this act, of course, was never 
put into execution. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD ( 1 775-83). 

During the War for Independence (1775-1783), the various states with 
claims to western lands agreed with the Continental Congress to surrender 
their claims to the national government. In fact, the Articles of Confedera- 
tion were not signed until all of the states had agreed to do this and Mary- 
land withheld her assent to the articles until March i, 1780, on this account. 
In accordance with this agreement New "N'ork ceded her claim to the United 
States in 1780. Virginia in 1784, Massachusetts in 1785 and Connecticut in 
1786, although the latter state excepted a one-hundred-and-twenty-mile strip 
of three million five hundred thousand acres bordering on Lake Erie. This 
.strip was formally relinquished in 1800. with the understanding that the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



29 



United States would guarantee the titles already issued by that state. Vir- 
ginia \\as also allowed a reservation, known as the Virginia Military Dis- 
trict, wl-iich lay between the Little Miami and Scioto rivers, the same being 
for distribution among her Revolutionary veterans. There is one other fact 
which should be mentioned in connection with the territory north of the 
Ohio in the Revolutionary period. This was the memorable conquest of the 
territory by Gen. George Rogers Clark. During the years 1778 and 1779. 
this redoubtable leader captured Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes and 
thereby drove the English out of the Northwest Territory. It is probable 
that this notable campaign secured this territory for the Americans and that 
without it we w'ould not have had it included in our possessions in the treaty 
which closed the Revolutionary War. 

FIR.ST .SURVEYS AND EARLY SETTLER.S. 

The next period in the history of the territory north of the Ohio begins 
with the passage of a congressional act (May 20, 1785), which provided for 
the present system of land surveys into townships six miles square. As soon 

as this was put into operation, settlers — and mostly Revolutionary soldiers 

began to pour into the newl}- surveyed territory. A second Ohio Company 
was organized in the spring of 1786. made up chiefly of Revolutionary 
officers and soldiers from New England, and this company proposed to estab- 
lish a state somewhere between Lake Erie and the Ohio river. At this junc- 
ture Congress realized that definite steps should be made at once for some 
kmd of government over this extensive territory, a territory which now^ in- 
cludes the present states of Ohio, Lidiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and 
about a third of Minnesota. Various plans w^ere proposed in Congress and 
most of the sessions of 1786 and the first half of 1787 were consumed in 
trying to formulate a suitable form of government for the extensive terri- 
tory. The result of all these deliberations resulted in the famous Ordinance 
of 1787, which was finally passed on July 13, 1787. 

0RDIN.\NCE OF 1 787. 

There have been many volumes written about this instrument of gov- 
ernment and to this day there is a difference of opinion as to who was its 
author. The present article can do no more than merely sketch its outline 
and set forth the main provisions. It was intended to provide only a tem- 
porary government and to serve until such a time as the population of the 



30 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

territory would warrant the creation of states with the same rights and 
privileges which the thirteen original states enjoyed. It stipulated that not 
less than three nor more than live states should ever be created out of the 
whole territory and the maximum number was finally organized, although it 
was not until 1848 that the last state. \A'isconsin, was admitted to the Union. 
The third article, "Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of educa- 
tion shall forever be encouraged," has given these five states the basis for 
their excellent system of public schools, state normals, colleges and uni- 
versities. Probably the most widely discussed article was the sixth, which pro- 
vided that slavery and involuntary servitude should never be permitted within 
the territorA' and bv the use of the word "forever" made the territory free 
for all time. It is interesting to note in this connection that l)oth Indiana 
and Illinois before their admission to the I'nion sought to have this pro- 
vision set aside, but every petition from the two states was refused by Con- 
gress in accordance with the provision of the Ordinance. 

FIRST STAGE OF GOVERNMENT UNDER THE ORDINANCE. 

The ordinance contemplated two grades of territorial government. 
During the operation of the first grade of government the governor, his secre- 
tarv and the three judges provided l)y the ordinance were to be appointed by 
Congress and the governor in turn was to appoint "such magistrates and 
other civil officers in each county and township as he shall deem necessary 
for the preservation of the peace and good will of the same.'" -After the 
federal government was organized a statutory provision took the appoint- 
ment of these officers out of the hands of Congress and placed it in the hands 
of the President of the United States. All executive authority was given 
to the governor, all judicial authority to the three judges, while the goA'ernor 
and judges, in joint session, constituted the legislative body. This means 
that during th.e first stage of territorial government the people had absolutely 
no voice in the affairs of government and this state of affairs lasted until 
1799, a period of twelve years. 

SECOND ST.\GE OF GOVERNMENT UNDER THE ORDINANCE. 

The second stage of government in the territory was to begin whenever 
the governor was satisfied that there were at least five thousand free male 
inhabitants of the age of twentv-one and above. The main difference be- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 3 1 

tween the first and second stages of territorial government lay in the fact 
that the legislative functions were taken from the governor and judges and 
given to a "general assembly or legislature.'' The ordinance provided for 
the election of one representative for each five hundred free male inhabitants, 
the tenure of the office to be two years. While the members of the lower 
house \\ere to be elected by the qualified voters of the territory, the upper 
house, to consist of five members, were to be appointed by Congress in a 
somewhat complicated manner. The house of representatives were to select 
ten men and these ten names were to be sent to Congress and out of this 
number five were to be selected l)y Congress. This provision, like the ap- 
pointment of the governor, was later changed so as to make the upper house 
the appointees of the President of the United States. The five men so selected 
were called councilors and held office for five years. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

The first governor of the newly organized territory was Gen. Arthur 
St. Clair, a gallant soldier of the Revolution, who was appointed on October 
5, 1787, and ordered to report for duty on the first of the following February. 
He held the office until November 22, 1802, when he was dismissed by Presi- 
dent Jefferson "for the disorganizing spirit, and tendency of every example, 
violating the rules of conduct enjoined by his public station, as displayed in 
his address to the convention." The governor's duties were performed by 
his secretarv, Charles W. Byrd, until March i, 1803, when the state officials 
took their office. The first judges appointed were Samuel Holden Parsons, 
James Mitchell Varnum and John Armstrong. Before the time came for 
the judges to qualify, Armstrong resigned and John Cleves Symmes was ap- 
* pointed in his place. The first secretary was AVinthrop Sargent. Avho held 
the position until he was appointed governor of Mississippi Territory by the 
President on May 2, 1798. Sargent was succeeded by William Henry Har- 
rison, who was appointed by the President on June 26, 1798, and confirmed 
by the Senate two days later. Harrison was later elected as the first dele- 
gate of the organized Northwest Territory to Congress and the President 
then appointed Charles Willing Byrd as secretary of the Territory, Byrd's 
.appointment being confirmed by the Senate on December 31, 1799. 

REPRESENTATIVE STAGE OF GOVERNMENT (1799-1803). 

The Northwest Territory remained under the government of the first 
itage until September 16. 1799, when it formally advanced to the second or 



32 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

representative stage. In the summer of 1798 Governor St. Clair had ascer- 
tained that the territory had a population of at least five thousand free male 
inhabitants and. in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance of 1787, 
was ready to make the change in its form of government. On October 29, 
1798, the governor issued a proclamation to the qualified voters of the Terri- 
tory directing them to choose members for the lower house of the Territorial 
Legislature at an election to be held on the third Monday of the following 
December. The twenty-two members so elected met on January 16, 1799, 
and, pursuant to the provisions of the ordinance, selected the ten men from 
whom the President of the United States later chose five for the Legislative 
Council. They then adjourned to meet on September 16, 1799, but since 
there was not a quorum on that day they held adjourned sessions until the 
23rd, at which time a quorum was present. 

At the time the change in the form of government went into effect there 
were only nine counties in the whole territory. These counties had been 
organized either by the governor or his secretary. The following table gives 
the nine counties organized before 1799 with the dates of their organization 
and the number of legislators proportioned to each by the governor : 

Date of Number of 

County. organization. representatives. 

Washington _• July ij, 1788 2 

Hamilton January 4, 1790 7 

St. Clair \pril ij , 1790 i 

Knox June 20, 1790 i 

Randolph October 5, 1795 i 

Wayne Vugust 6, 1796 3 

Adams July 10, 1797 2 

Jefferson July 29, 1797 i 

Ross August 20, 1798 : 4 

FIRST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATl'RE OF NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

The twenty-two representati^'es and fi\e councilors were the first rep- 
resentative ])ody to meet in the Northwest Territorv and they represented a 
constituency scattered over a territory of more than two hundred and sixty- 
five thousand square miles, an area greater than Germany or France, or even 
Austria-Hungary. It would be interesting to tell something of the delibera- 
tions of these twenty-seven sterling pioneers, but the limits of the present 
article forbids. It is necessary, howe\er, to make mention of one important 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 33 

thing which they chd in view of the fact that it throws much hght on the 
subsequent history of the Northwest Territory. 

DIVISION OF 1800. 

The Legislature was authorized to elect a delegate to Congress and two 
candidates for the honor presented their names to the Legislature, William 
Henry Harrison and Arthur St. Clair, Jr., the son of the governor. The 
Legislature, by a joint ballot on October 3, 1799, elected Harrison by a vote 
of eleven to ten. The defeat of his son undou1)tedly had considerable to do 
with the subsequent estrangement which arose between the governor and his 
legislature and incidentally hastened the division of the Northwest Terri- 
tory. Within two years from the time the territory had advanced tt) the 
second stage of government the di\ision had taken place. On May 7. 1800. 
Congress passed an act dividing the Northwest Territory by a line drawn 
from the mouth of the Kentucky river to Fort Recovery, in Mercer county. 
Ohio, and thence due north to the boundary line between the United States 
and Canada. Governor St. Clair favored- the division because he thought it 
would delay the organization of a state and thus give him a longer lease on 
his position, but he did not favor the division as finally determined. He was 
constantly grow ing in disfavor with the people on account of his overbearing 
manner and he felt that he would get rid of some of his bitterest enemies if 
the western inhabitants were set ofif into a new territory. However, the 
most of the credit for the division must be given to Harrison, w^ho, as a dele- 
gate to Congress, was in a position to have the most influence. Harrison also 
was satisfied that in case a new territory should be formed he would be 
appointed its first governor and he was not disappointed. The territory west 
of the line above mentioned was immediately organized and designated as 
Indiana Territory, while the eastern portion retained the existing go\'ern- 
ment and the old name — Northwest Territory. It is frequently overlooked 
that the Northw-est Territory existed in fact and in name up until March i, 
1803. 

CENSUS OF NORTHWEST TERRITORY IN 180O. 

The division of 1800 left the Northwest Territory with only about one- 
third of its original area. The census of the territory taken by the United 
States government in 1800 showed it to have a total population of forty-five 
thousand three hundred and sixtv-fi\e. which fell short bv about fifteen thou- 
(3) 



34 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 



sand of l)eini^ suPHcient for the creation of a state as provided by the Ordi- 
nance of i/Hj, whicli fixed the minimnni popnlation at sixty thcmsand. The 
connties left in the Xorthwest Territory, with their respective population, 
are set forth in the appended table, all of which were within the present state 
of Ohio. exce])t Wayne: 

Adams 3A3^ 

Hamilton I4>632 

Jefferson 8.766 

Ross . 8,540 

Trumbull 1.302 

Washington 5.42/ 

Wayne 3.206 

Total 45 •3''^=^ 

The ]JOpulation as classified by the census with respect to age and sex is 
interesting and particularly so in showing that considerably more than one- 
third of the total po])ulation were children under ten years of age. 

Males. Females. 

Whites up to ten years of age 9.362 8.644 

Whites from ten to sixteen 3.647 3^353 

Whites from sixteen to twenty-six 4.63f'> 3.86t 

Whites from twenty-six to forty-five__ 4,83.3 3.342 

Wliites forty-five and upward 1.955 i'395 

Total 24.433 20.595 

Total of both sexes 45,028 

Total of other persons, not Indians 337 

Grand total 45.365 

A digression is necessary at this point in order to trace the growth of 
settlement of the territory now within the present state of Ohio up to 1803, 
when it was admitted to the Union as a state. ATarietta. founded in July, 

1788. by the Ohio Company, is the oldest permanent settlement in the state. 

A number of New Jersey settlers were organized by John Cleves Symmes, 
and Symmes succeeded in securing a grant of land from Congress (1788- 

1792) containing two hundred forty-eight thousand five hundred and forty 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 35 

;uic>. located between the Great Miami and Little Miami rivers. This grant 
of land is known in Ohio history as the Symmes purchase and contained the 
sU'iienients of Cohiml)ia (1788) and Cincinnati (1789), although the latter 
place was first christened Losantiville. The man who devised this name 
exercised no small amount of ingenuity in its manufacture. The proposed 
settlement happened to be located at the mouth of the Licking river and this 
circumstance, with a little knowledge of Latin and a vivid imagination, was 
responsible for this hybrid word. The Latin word for town is "villa,"' which 
is Anglicized into "ville ;" the Latin for opposite is "anti" and for mouth 
"os." These three Latin words account for the completed word, with the 
exception of the "L," and this letter is the initial letter of Licking. To make 
the word clear it must be read backward, syllable at a time — thus L-os-anti- 
ville. which being interpreted means the town opposite the mouth of the 
Licking. 

The Virginia Military District, to which reference has been made, was 
settled largely by people from that state. The Connecticut Reserve, along 
Lake Erie, attracted many settlers from that state, among whom should be 
mentioned Moses Cleaveland, Avho. in 1796, founded the city which bears his 
name. The northern part of the state did not begin to fill up rapidly until 
after 1832, when the Ohio-Erie canal was opened for traffic. There have 
been estimates running from fifteen to twenty thousand as to the number of 
people who floated down the Ohio river within a year after the Ordinance 
of 1787 went into efifect. 

COUNTY ORGANIZATION (1788-1810). 

Jt has already been stated that there were nine counties within the 
Northw'Cst Territory in 1799, when it advanced to the second stage of terri- 
torial government. According to the provisions of the ordinance, the crea- 
tion of new counties was in the hands of the governor, although after the 
federal constitution went into effect the secretar}'- was also given the same 
power. Knox and Wayne counties were started by Secretary Winthrop Sar- 
gent according to this provision. The state of Ohio is now divided into 
eighty-eight counties, ten of which were created before the state was admitted 
to the Union on March i, 1803. The counties organized by Governor St. 
Clair, or his secretary, from 1788, when Washington county was organized, 
u]) to 1S03, when the state was admitted to the Union, are ten in number: 
Washington, Hamilton, Wayne, Adams, Jefferson, Ross, Trumbull, Cler- 
mont. Fairfield and Belmont. The dates of the creation of the first six 



^0 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

have already been gi\en. Trmnbull. county was organized on July ro, 1800; 
Clermont and Fairtield, December 9, 1800; Belmont, September 7, 1801. 
Between the years 1803 and 1810, when Fayette county was organized, there 
were no less than twenty- four counties organized within the state of Ohio. 
The first session of the General Assembly of the state organized eight coun- 
ties, as follows: Franklin, Gallia, Greene, Scioto. Warren. Butler, Mont- 
gomery and Columbiana. Muskingum started its independent existence on 
the first day of March, 1804. In 1805 there were four counties created. 
Champaign, Athens, Geauga and Highland. The session of 1807 added 
four more to the rapidly growing state. Miami, Ashtabula. Cuyahoga and 
Portage. Tlie follovving year saw six new counties opened for entry, Dela- 
ware. Stark. Tuscarawas, Preble, Knox and Licking. One county. Huron, 
was created in i8o(). 1lie five counties organized in i8in include Fayette, 
the histor\' of which is the main theme of this volume. The other counties 
created in this year are Pickaway, Guernsey, Clinton and Madison. This 
makes a total of thirty-nine counties up to and including the year 1810. In 
this year Cincinnati, the largest city of the state, boasted of a population of 
two thfjusand three hundred and t\\enty. while F^ayette, which had been made 
out of parts of Highland and Ross counties, started <)nt with a total popula- 
tion of one thousand eight Inindred and fifty-four. 

INDIAN W^AR.S (I787-1803). 

The period from 1787 to 1803 in the Northwest Territory was marked 
In' several bitter conflicts with the Indians. Jusi as at the close of the F^rench 
and Indian War had the i'^rench stirred up the Indians against the Ameri- 
cans, so at the close of the Revoiutionar\- War did the English do the same 
thing. This inciting of the Indians Ijy the British was one of the causes of 
the War of 18 12, a struggle whicli has very appropriately been called the 
second War for Independence. The various uprisings of the Indians up to 
1794 retarded the intlux of settlers and was a constant menace to those who 
did venture into the territory. Three distinct campaigns were waged against 
the Indians during this period before they were finally subdued. The first 
cam])aign was under the command of Gen. Josiah Harmar, 1790, and re- 
sulted in a, .decisive defeat for the whites. The second expedition was under 
the leadership of Cien. Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Territorv, and 
was marked by one of the worst defeats ever suffered by an American arnn 
at the hands of the Indians. A lack of knowledge of Indian methods of 
warfare, combined with reckless mismanagement, sufficiently accounts for 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 2>7 

1)0th disasters. It remained for Gen. Anthony Wayne, the "Mad .Anthony" 
of Revokitionarv fame, to l)ring the Inchans to terms. The battle which 
closed his campaign against the Indians is known as the battle of Fallen 
Timbers and was fought on August 20, 1794. The scene of the battle lies 
along the Maumee river within the limits of the present county of Defiance. 
This crushing" defeat of the Indians, a rout in which they had lost twehe 
out of thirteen chiefs, was so complete that the Indians were glad to sue for 
peace. On June 10, 1795, delegates from the various Indian tribes, headed 
bv their chiefs, met at Greenville, Ohio, to formulate a treaty. The United 
States government appointed General Wayne as commissioner plenipotentiary 
to draft the treaty and. after nearly two months of bickering, a treaty was 
drawn up on August 3. 1795. It was signed by General Wayne on behalf of 
the United States and bv ninety chiefs and the delegates of twelve interested 
tribes. The treaty was faithfully kept by the Indians and ever afterward 
Little Turtle, the real leader of the Indians, was a true friend of the whites. 
It ma\- ])e said that this battle of Fallen Timbers was the most important 
battle fought in .Xmerica l)etween the close of the \\^ar for Independence and 
the battle of Tijjpecanoe in the fall of 181 t. To Gen. Anthony Wayne will 
remain the honor of opening the way for the ])ermanent settlement of the 
Northwest Territory. 

THE FORMATION OF A NI-:W STATF. 

'i lie tliree years inter\ening l)etween the creation of Indian Territory 
( Alav 7. iSoo). and the admission of Ohio to the Union (March 1, 1803), 
are marked by an acrimonious struggle during which (ioxernor St. Clair was 
constantl}- growing in disfaxor with his Legislature and the great mass of 
the people of the Territorx . The Legislature wanted a state formed as soon 
as possible and succeeded in getting Congress to pass an act, April 30, 1802, 
authorizing the calling of a constitutional convention. This act established 
the limits of the proposed new state as follows: 'That part of the X^orth- 
west Territory bounded east by Pennsylvania, south l)y the Ohio ri\er, west 
bv a line drawn from the mouth of the Big Miami river due north to an east 
and west line passing through the south extremity of Lake Michigan, and by 
this line and the Canada line through Lake Erie to the west line of Penn- 
sylvania." Since these boundaries omitted the eastern half of the present 
state of Michigan which had been left a part of the Northwest Territory by 
the division of May 7, 1800. it was denounced as a fraud by the Federalists 
in the omitted territory. However, it is ver}- plain that Congress carried out 



^8 tAYETJE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the intent of the Orch'nance of i 7S7 hy their ael and ihe charge oi pohlical 
trickery fails of sul)stantiation in the light ui the specific provisions therein 
set forth regarding the creation of states out of the Northwest Territory. 
The enahling act pro\ided for an election for delegates to the constitutional 
convention to he held in .Sei)teinher of the same year ( 1802), the delegates 
to meet at Chillicothe on the first .Monda\- of the following" No\ember. The 
thirt^-fi\'e delegates met at the a]Ji)ointed time and b}' a vote of thirty- four 
to one. the negative vote I^eing cast by K.phraim Cutler, decided to proceed at 
once to the organization of a slate g"o\ernment and the formation of a consti- 
tution. The convention was in session until Xoxember 29th, at which titue 
it had completed the first constitution for the state and riie one which lasted 
until 1(^51. when a second constitution \\as adopted. 

WHEN WA.S OHIO AliMlT'lEI) TO THE TMOX? 

It is interesting to note the difhculty which ( )hio historians ha\e had in 
trying to fix n])on the date which marks the formal admission of the state to 
the iTiion. 

The natal day of Ohio has gi\en rise to more dispule than the natal day 
of any other state in the Union. This is undoubtedh due to the fact that 
Congress ne\er passed an act formally admitting it to the I'nion. There 
have been no less than Hva dates assigned by as many ditlerent authorities 
and each group of historians substantiate their claim In the citation of facts. 
These five dates are as follows: April 30, 1802; November 2g. 1802: Febru- 
ary jy, 1803; -^iarch i, 1803; iMarch 3, 1803. 

The first date (April 30, 1802) has for its chief sponsor the editor of 
the 'T'nited States Statutes at Large." This date is not tenable at all. since 
the territorial judges were in office for several months after this date and 
were, by the congressional act of I'Vbruary 21, 1806. paid their full salaries 
up to March 1. 1803. Idie second date ( Noxember ji), 1802) is advanced 
by Hicke}- in his \'olume, "The Constitution." on the ground that the con- 
stitution was adopted on that da}-. The third date ( Fel^ruarv 1 <;. 1803) has 
been held by several good authorities, notably. Caleb .\twater, in his "Politi- 
cal Manual;" (i. \V. Pascal, in his "Annotated Constitution,"' and the late 
president of Marietta College, J. W. .\ndrews. It was upon this date that 
Congress passed an act to "provide for the due execution of the laws of the 
United States within the state of Ohio.'' This w^ould seem to indicate that 
Congress recognized February 19, 1803, as the date of the admission of Ohio 
to the Union, ])ut when it is recalled that Congress had not vet a])])ointe(I the 



FA V ETTE CO U X T N' , O 1 1 I () . ^q 

necessary judicial officers it must be concluded that this is not the proper date. 
The fourth date (March i, r8o3 ) '-^ ""^v recognized ottlcially as the 
actual day on which Ohio formally entered the l/nion. although it was an act 
of Congress passed nearly three years later which derinitely settled this fact. 
'I he question arose in i8of) in Congress regarding the payment of the terri- 
torial officers and the act of February 21st of that \ ear ordered that the gov-. 
ernor and judges be paid for their services up to ^faich 1. iS/):;. There can 
be no question but that Congress placed its official a^)pro\al on this dale as 
being the first day of Ohio's existence as a separate state. The tifth and 
last date (March 3, 1803) was advanced as the real date of the admission of 
the state, for the reason that on this date Congress gave its approval to 
certain changes in the constitution of the state which had been adopted 011 
November 29. 1802. These changes related to the disposition of certain 
school lands within the state and were of minor importance and in no sense 
advocated any radical changes in the constitution of the state. However, on 
March 3, 1803, the state had been in full operation for a space of three days 
and exercising all the rights and privileges of a state; the governor had been 
installed ; the Legislature was in session and the various state officials were 
discharging their duties in accordance with the constitution. Thus it must 
be concluded from all axailable evidence that Ohio was admitted to the I'nion 
on .March 1 , 1803. 

CAPIT.VI.S ()]■ NORTinVEST TERRITORY AXD OITTO. 

The capital of the Northwest Territory was located within the present 
limits of Ohio during the whole existence of the Territor}- both before and 
after the division of the Territory in 1800. When the Ordinance of [787 
was formally put into operation, on July 17, 1788, the capital was esta])lished 
at Marietta, the name being chosen In- the directors of the Ohio Company on 
July 2, 1788. The name of Marietta was selected in honor of the French 
(Hieen Marie Antoinette, compounded by a curious combination of the hrst 
and last syllables of her name. 

The capital remained at ^^larietta until 1800. when it was mo\ed 1)\- the 
congressional act of May 7th of that year to Chillicothe and by the con- 
stitution adopted in 1802 the capital was to remain there at least until 1808. 
The Legislature of 1809 moved the capital to Zanesville until such time as a 
permanent site should be selected. The Legislature at the same time that it 
moved the capital to Zanesville appointed commissioners to report at the fol- 
lowing sessions "the most eligible and central spot for permanently estal)lish- 



40 FAYETTE COl'XTV, OrTIO. 

in^i^- it."" i hf approaching- \\ ar of iiSij made it necessary to take the capital 
hack to Ihilhcothe, where there was less danger from attack hy the Indians 
and British. The commissioners appointed by the Legislatnre of 1809 se- 
lected a small village hv the name of Dublin, on the Scioto, about fourteen 
miles north of Columbus, but the Legislature refused to abide by their ch(Mce. 
The capital was permanently located at Columbus by the legislative act 
of February 14, 18 12, although no less than nine different sites were under 
consideration before the hnal decision was made. The act selecting the site 
did not choose a name for the pro])osed cit\- and this honor belongs to Joseph 
Foos, the senator from bVanklin county, who had lieen largel}' instrumental 
in the selection of tlie Legislature. At that time there was a solitar}- log 
cabin on the site and the whole tract was covered with a dense forest. The 
act of Februar}' 17, 18 16, formally designated Columlms as the capital "from 
and after the second Tuesday of October. 181 6." During the War of 1812, 
and until the l)uildings were read\- at Columbus, the capital remained at 
Chillicothe. 

co.xsi ri-i--rjox.\!, iiisiorv of ohio. 

The state of Ohio has had four constitutional con\entions : 1802, 
1850-51. 1873-74 and 1912. The constitution of t8o2, it is interesting to 
note, was never submitted to the people for ratihcati(m. Between the adop- 
tion of the first and second constitution there was an elTort to hold a con- 
stitutional convention. A resolution, passed Deceml)er 2=,, 1818, authorized 
a vote on the (piestion of holding a constitutional convention, but at the elec- 
tion which was suljsequently held it was decided adxerselv b\ a x'ote of 29,315 
to 6,987. 

The main facts concerning the sec(jnd C(jnstitutional con\ention ma\- be 
briefly summed uj) as follows. The Legislature on October 9, 1849, author- 
ized a \()te on the (juestion of liolding a conxention and the voters of the 
state cast a majoritx of 94.531 in favor of the constitutional con\ention. 
Hie vote stood 145,^198 for and 51 JO7 against the convention. On April i, 
1850. the one hundred and eight delegates were elected and on the 6th of the 
follovving May they met at Columbus. The con^•ention was in continuous 
.session until July 9, 1850, and then, not having yet completed their delibera- 
tions, adjourned to meet again on December 2, 1850. The second session 
continued to hold daily meetings until March 10, 185 1, when it finally con- 
cluded its labors after having spent a total of one hundred and sixty-three 
days. The constitution was submitted to the people of the state on June \/, 
185T, and adopted by a vote of 125,564 to 109,276. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 4I 

An attempt to adopt a new constitution was made in 1874. hut failed. 
On March 30, 1871, the I.egislature provided for a vote on the question of 
holdings a constitutional convention and at an election held Octoher 10, 1871, 
it was decided, hy a vote of 267.618 to 104,231, to hold such a convention. 
On April 6, 1^73. the one hundred and five delegates to the convention were 
elected and on the 13th of the following month they met and organized. 
The convention continued in session from that date until August 8th, and, 
after a recess, met on December 2d and remained in continuous session until 
Mav 15th of the following year. The convention held daily sessions for one 
hundred and eightv days, one of the longest constitutional conventions ever 
held in the United States. With all this deliberation it would seem that a 
satisfactorv constitution could have been framed, but the voters of the state, 
on August 18, 1874, rejected it by a vote of 250,169 to 102,885. This ex- 
pensive attempt to make a new constitution was sufficient to thwart all efforts 
along this line for several years. However, the changes in economic, social 
and industrial conditions became more pronounced year by year, and on 
March g. igog, the Legislature su])mitted the question of holding a constitu- 
tional convention. At an election held on November 8, 1910, it was decided, 
by a vote of 693,263 to 67,718, to select delegates to a constitutional con- 
vention. The convention met on the second Tuesday of January, 1912, and 
remained in session until June 8, 19 12, when it finally concluded its labors. 
This convention submitted forty-two changes in the existing constitution and 
on September 3d of the same year the qualified voters of the state accepted all 
but eight of the proposed amendments. The eight amendments lost are as 
follows: Suffrage, good roads, advertising, injunctions, capital punishment, 
voting machines, eligibility of women and elimination of word "white" from 
the constitution. The amendments which carried by various majorities con- 
cerned the following subjects : Jury system, depositions, suits, wrongful 
death, iniliatixe and referendum, investigations, limiting veto, mechanics' 
lien, welfare, compensations, conser^•ation of natural resources, eight-hour 
day, removal of officials, expert testimony, land titles, prison contracts, extra 
sessions, reform of the judiciary, county judges, justices, school boards, 
school commissioners, insurance, abolishing of board of public works, taxa- 
tion, corporations, double liability, state printing, civil service, submission of 
amendments, home rule for cities, schedule and license. The fight was the 
most bitter on woman's suffrage and the initiative and referendum. The 
vote on the first proposition was 249.420 to 336,875 and was defeated largely 
on account of the activitv of the liquor interests. The initiative and referen- 



42 FAYETTK C()L'S\\, OHIO 

diim carried by a ^ ote of 312,592 to 231. 3J 2, despite the tact that every 
ruse and trick known to professional pohticians was used to compass its 
defeat. 

On November 3, 19 14, there were four constitutional amendments sub- 
mitted to the voters of the state and the two which caused the most discussion, 
viz., woman's suffrage and prohibition, were defeated. The other two amend- 
ments related to home rule for cities and the regulation of the liquor traffic. 

MILITARY Rl<:CORD. 

The state of Ohio has had its citizens in four wars in wdiich the L'nited 
States has engaged since 1803: the War of 1812, the Mexican War. the 
Ci\il War and the Spanish-American War. It is very unfortunate that the 
public records of Ohio contain no list of the soldiers of the state -who fought 
in the War of 1812, although large numbers of the citizens served in the 
held under various commanders. The records as regards the Mexican War 
are fairly complete and show that a total of 5.536 men were sent to the front 
by the state. When the call was hrst issued for troops, ( )hio was called 
upon to furnish three thousand men and within a short time fort\- com])anies 
reported at Camp Washington, near ( incmnati. Thirtv companies were 
formed into three regiments, commanded l)y C'ols. Alexander AT. Mitchell, 
George W. Morgan and Samuel R. Curtis. These troo])s were sent down the 
Ohio in July. 1846, and joined General Taylor on the Rici (irande. In 1847 
additional troops' were sent from Ohio, but none 01" them saw any acti\e 
service. The regiment under the command of Mitchell was the only one to 
take part in a battle, and it distin^uishetl itself in the storming of Monterey. 
The state of Ohio suffered a sexere loss in the death of 15rig.-Gen. 'I'homas 
L. Hamer, one of the most prominent men of the state at that time. He was 
a member of Congress at the time of the opening of the war, l)ut left Con- 
gress, enlisted as a priAate and soon after received a commission as brigadier- 
general. He was in the operations around Monterey and shortly afterward 
was stricken with a fatal disease and died on December 30, 1846. 

The part which (3hio played in the Civil War can be only briefly n(jticed 
in this resume of the history of the state. That Ohio did her full dut>- as a 
loyal member of the Union is a fact which is known to everyone. Within 
twenty-four hours from the time the President issued his first call for troops 
on April 16, i860, the Legislature had passed a bill a])propriating one millicjn 
dollars for military purposes. Two days later (April ig) two regiments of 
Ohio troops left by rail for Washington. The ease and quickness with which 



FAYETTE C:()l'.\TV. OHIO. I? 

this was accoin[)lislit"(l is ;.n indication of the intense loyalL\- of tlie state. It 
is a glowing trihnte to the state of Ohio that ahhough there were only thir- 
teen regiments assigned to the state nnder the hrst cah. enough men presented 
themselves to make more than seventy regiments. This otitburst of loyalty 
was such that the Legislature authorized the governor to accept ten more 
regiments, and the state itself equipped and ])aid these additional men and 
enrolled them f(^r the defense of the state. By October i, 1862. the state had 
enrolled militia to the number of 425,147 and the state sent out for duty 
outside of its own limits 3i<)/)59 men, although their quota was only ,:50<'),322. 
This gives the state the honor of furnishing more than one-tenth of tb.e total 
enlistment of men in the Northern army. The soldiers were a part of e\er\- 
army, participated in every campaign, fought in every important l-attle from 
Bull Run to Bentonville, from Sabine Cross Roads to ( iettNsburg. No 
less than forty-three Ohio regiments of infantry were present at the san- 
guinary engagement at Missionary Ridge and they were in like proportion at 
the other battles. Tweh-e thousand brave Ohio men were killed or luortally 
wounded and at least forty thousand received wounds of some kind. Thir- 
teen thousand died of disease in the service and twentv thousand were dis- 
charged for disability arising from wounds or disease. These figures give 
some idea of the prominent part which the .soldiers of (Miio played in the 
great struggle. 

It is pertinent to say something of the activity of the anti-war party in 
the state during the time the struggle was going on. Jn the summer of 1863 
the Democrats of the state nominated Vallandigham for governor, a man 
who was very outspoken in his denunciation of the war. but John Rrough, a 
stanch L'nion man. had no difficulty in defeating him for the governorship. 
The part which \'allandigham subsequently ]>laye(l in the history of his state 
is sufficient proof that it was for the best interests of the state that he was 
defeated. 

The Spanish-American War of 1808 has been the last one in whicli 
troops from Ohio have taken any part. I-'ollowing the call of President 
McKinley for se\enty-five thousand volunteers, Ohio had no difficulty in 
filling their quota. Th.is war opened officially on .\])ril 25th and formally 
came to an end by the signing of a protocol on August 12th. The battles of 
Manila Bay. Santiago. El Caney and San Juan Hill were the only engage- 
ments of importance. According to the treaty of Paris, which was signed 
December 12. 1898. Spain relinquished her sovereignty over Cuba, ceded tc 
the United States Porto Rico and her other ^^'est India possessions and th.- 



44 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Island of Guam, and transferred her rights in the Phihppines for a sum of 
twenty million dollars i)aid to her for public works and impro\ements which 
belonged to the Spanish government. 

THE LAND GR.VNTS OF OHIO. 

Ohio was the hrst state organized out of the territory north of the Ohio 
ri\er and east of the Mississippi river and was divided into several grants, 
reservations and military districts of one kind and another. These various 
divisions have led to an endless amount of confusion in the surve^•ing of 
lands in the state and in many cases in expensive litigation. A brief sum- 
mary of each one of these divisions is here presented. 

THE OHIO LAND COMPANY PURCHASE. 

This com])any Avas organized ^larch 3, 1786, at Boston and on October 
27, 1787. bought from the government 1,500,000 acres and received, outside 
of the portions reserved by Congress, 1,064,285 acres. Congress set aside 
the sixteenth section of each township for school purposes, the twentv-ninth 
section for religious jmrposes and the eighth, eleventh and twenty-sixth for 
such purposes as Congress might determine in the future. This tract in- 
cluded what was known as the "Donation Tract'' of 100,000 acres, the same 
now being the northern part of Washington county. For this immense tract 
the Ohio Com])any jiaid the goxernment sixtv-six and two-thirds cents an 
acre. 

THE FRENCH GR.\NT. 

The secretary of the L^nited Board of Treasury, William Duer, was in- 
strumental in helping the Ohio Company to secure from Congress the option 
on 3.000.000 acres lying west and north of the original purchase of this com- 
pany. The title to this tract remained in the government and out of this 
peculiar arrangement arose the Scioto Company, which was organized in 
Prance. Hundreds of deluded h>enchmen invested their monev in this tract 
and received cloudy titles which caused no little trouble in later years. A 
large numl)er of these French settlers landed on the banks of the Ohio on 
October 20. 1790. on the site of the present city of Gallipolis. which they 
founded and named. The Scioto Company was incompetently managed, be- 
came insolvent and the land on which the unfortunate Frenchmen had settled 
reverted to the I Tiited States government. While the most of them remained. 



lAYI. I IK COUNTY, OHIO. 45 

there were many of them who went on farther west and located where other 
French settlers had previously established themselves. The United States 
treated the remaining French settlers in a very generous manner and by the 
act of March 3, 1795, granted them 24,000 acres on the Ohio river within 
the present limits of Scioto county. 

THE SYMMES PURCHASE. 

In 1788 John L'leves Symmes and other men of Xew Jerse\- organized 
the Miami Company and bought from the United States 1,000,000 acres, for 
which the compan}- agreed to pay sixty-six and two-thirds cents an acre. As 
in the case of the purchase of the Ohio Company, the government made 
reservations of school and church sections, as well as three additional sections 
for general purposes. The Miami Company later found out that they had 
contracted for more than they could pay and the records show that they 
received and paid for only 311,682 acres in the southern part of the tract. 
It is interesting to note that the present site of Cincinnati was sold by the 
companv to one Matthias Denman for the sum of five hundred dollars. The 
citv of Cincinnati was founded the following year and the monument in that 
city on Third street, between Broadway and Ludlow streets, marks the loca- 
tion of Fort Washington, which was erected to protect the infant city from 
the Indians. 

CONNECTICUT RESKRVE. 

In the year 178;) the state of Connecticut relinquished all her claims to 
lands in the Northwest Territory with the exception of a strip of 3,500,000 
acres bordering Lake Erie. This immense tract became an integral part of 
Ohio as the result of two sejjarate acts on the part of Connecticut. The 
state granted 500,000 acres in the western part of the reserve in 1792 to those 
citizens of Connecticut whose homes had l)een burned b}- the British during 
the Revolutionary War. The towns of Xorwalk, Greenwich. Fairfield, Xew 
Haven and New London furnished the greater part of the eighteen hundred 
who took advantage of the generous offer of their state. The land was sur- 
veved into townships of five miles scjuare and divided among the settlers in 
proportion to their losses. In 1795 the Connecticut Land Company purchased 
the rest of the reserxe, amounting to 3,000.000 acres, and on April 28, 1800, 
the LTnited States government passed an act which paved the way for the 
final absorption of the tract by the state of Ohio. In May, t8oo, the Connect- 



46 . I'AVETTE COUNTY, OIIll). 

icut Legislature accepted the offer of the United States and formally re- 
nounced all claims to the territory in faxor of the state of Ohio. 

TlfE VIRGINIA MILITAR^■ DISTRICT. 

Tile reservation was retained 1)\- X'irginia when the state relinquished 
her claim to Congress in 17^4. being retained by the state for the use of the 
l\e\-()lutionar\- soldiers who had enlisted from \^irginia. Tt comprised the 
territory between the Little Aliann and Scioto ri\eis. Imt was not to be used 
unless the lands claimed by Virginia south of the Ohio ri\er proved insuffi- 
cient to pa\- all of the bounties promised by X'irginia to her soldiers. B}- the 
vear 17(10 it was seen that X'irginia would not ha\e enough territory south 
of the Ohio to satisfy all of her needs and accordingly, in .Xugust of that 
vear, Congress passed an act allowing the state to use the oi)tional territory 
north of the Ohio ri\er. Owing to the fact that the territory was not sur- 
veyed according to an\' definite ])]an, the \arious allotments assigned to the 
Virginia sc^ldiers frc(|nentl\' o\erla])]X"d and in manv instances confusion and 
litigation resulted. 

Till-: rxrri-:i) .^t \ it-:s military lands. 

The Continental C ongress dining tlu' Re\"olutionar\- War offered boun- 
ties of \\'es_(.rn !and^ in ord; r to inciease cn.listir.ents. and soldiers so secured 
were gixtn hind warran -; wliich they lati'r presented to Congress and ex- 
changed for land. ( )n June 1, i7:,f;, C'ongress passed an act which called 
U])on the sur\e\ or general of th.' Cniled States to locate a tract in the North- 
west Territory lor the prrpose of enabling the goxernment to have land to 
take np the land wanan's whiC;- it had issu.ed during the late war. The limits 
of this ])artitular tr."ct lieijan "at the northwest corner of the Se\en Ranges, 
thence south fifty m.iles, thence west to the Scioto ri\er and along that river 
to the Cireenxille treaty line, thence along that line and east to the ])lace of 
l)eginning." These lands were sur\eyed into townships (i\e miles square and 
each owner received a ])ateni for his land signed b\ the President of the 
Cnited States. 

THE REl'TGEE TRACT. 

This tract was set aside by the Continental Congress in April. 1783. for 
the benefit of such people as left Canada and Nova Scotia to help the 
American colonies in their fight against England during the Revolution. 
'I'he subsec|uent congressional act of 1798 confirmed the act of the Continental 



FAYRTTF. COUNTY. OHIO. 47 

Coiii^ress and on l''ebruar\ i8, iSoi. Congress definitely selected "those frac- 
tional townships of the sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, twen- 
tieth, twenty-first and twenty-second ranges of townships joining the south- 
ern l)oundary line of the military lands." This tract of four and a half 
miles in width, and extending forty-tw^o miles east of the Scioto river, con- 
tained more than t\\ice as much as was needed to satisfy the claims of the 
refugees. The part unclaimed by those for whom it was set aside was at- 
tached to the Chillicothe land district and sold as Congress lands. Tt so hap- 
pened that the future capital of the state, Columbus, is in the extreme western 
side of this tract. 

CONGRESS LANDS. 

Some of the tracts of land already described were Congress lands, viz.. 
the French Grant, the Seven Ranges and the Refugee Tract. Congress re- 
tained and sold all lands not specifically relinquished to land companies and 
established land offices for the purpose at different times at Marietta, Cin- 
cinnati, Steubenville, Chillicothe. Zanesville, Canton, Wooster, Piqua. Dela- 
ware. Wapakoneta. Tima and Upper Sandusky. 

TFIE MORAVIAN GRANT. 

The congressional grant to the Ohio Company in 1787 reserved ten 
thousand acres in what is now Tuscarawas county for the use of the Mora- 
vians and Christian Indians who had previously settled there, the title being 
vested in the Moravian Brethren at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A few years 
later two thousand acres were added to the original grant and in 1823 the 
territory reverted to the United States, with the exception of the cemeteries, 
church yards and a few special leases. 

DOHRMAN's GRANT. 

Congress granted all of township 13, range 7, in Tuscarawas county to 
one Henry Dohrman. a Portuguese citizen, who rendered valuable services 
to the colonies during the Revolutionary War. 

THE MAUMEE ROAD LANDS. 

In 1823 Congress granted to the state of Ohio about sixty thousand acres 
for the purpose of constructing a road from the low^er rapids of the Maumee 
river to the western limits of the Western Reserve of Connecticut. 



48 lAYKTTK COUNTY, OHIO. 



IflE TURNPIKE LANDS. 

In 1827 Congress granted to the state of Ohio forty-nine sections of 
land in Seneca. Crawford and Marion counties for the construction of a road 
from Columbus to Sandusky. 

CANAL GRANTS. 

Between 1825 and 1845 Congress at different times made special grants 
of land to the state of Ohio for canal purposes, and a total of about one 
million acres were thus secured by the state. By the year 1842 the state had 
completed six hundred and fifty-eight miles of canals, at the staggering cost 
to the state of $14,688,666.97, although before they were all completed the 
railroads were in ojieration in the state. 

SALT SECTIONS. 

in the early histor\- of the Northwest Territory salt was a commodity 
hard to secure and necessarily high in price. Congress reserved every place 
where it w^as thought salt could be obtained and in this way helped the 
settlers to get salt at the least expense. In Ohio an entire township within 
the present county of Jackson was reserved, as well as about four thousand 
acres in Delaware count^•. In 1824 Congress relinquished its claim in fa\or 
(^f Ohio. 

THE ZANE SECTIONS. 

Ebenezer Zane, one of the most prominent of the men in the early his- 
tory of the state, was granted three sections by Congress in 1796 in return 
for his services in opening a road from Wheeling to iMaysville. These three 
sections were located at Zanesville, Chillicothe and Lancaster. Isaac Zane 
was granted three sections in Champaign county by Congress for valuable 
services to the colonies during the Revolution. Isaac Zane had been cap- 
tured by the Indians when a small boy and spent the major portion of his 
life with them, and his infiuence witli the Indians was such that lie pro\ed to 
be of great assistance to the colonies in handling them. 

THE MINISTERIAL LANDS. 

These lands have been pre\iously mentioned and were reserved only 
in two grants, those of the Ohio Land Company and the Symmes Purchase. 



!•■ A Y ETTE ( ( ) L' N I ^- , () 1 1 I ( ) . 4Q 

'I Ik- grants lo botii set aside section twenty-nine of eacli township for relig- 
ious [)nr])oses. 

SCHOOL Sl-X TJO.VS. 

J'ro\isi()ns for pulilic schools wtrc n ;ulc in all stalc> created 1)\- the 
United States after the adoption of the constitntion. The Ordinance of 
1787 had made specific mention of the \alue of schools and a wise Congress 
set aside section sixteen of every township, which was surveyed into town- 
ships six miles square. The L'nited States military lands were surveyed into 
township hve miles square, but Congress reserved one thirtv-sixth of the 
whole area for school purposes. There are no reservations in the Connecti- 
cut Reserve and Virginia Military District for school purposes, but Congress 
made up for this l)y setting aside an amount equivalent to one thirty-sixth of 
the area in each tract from other lands belonging to the Cnited States. .\s a 
matter of fact, one thirty-sixth of the whole state was reserved for school 
purposes as well as three townships for uni\ersities. 

OHIO I^OIJTICS. 

The politics of ( )hio presents many interesting features, but this brief 
summary can do little more than indicate the more important landmarks in 
the political history of the state. The first governor of the .Vorthwest Terri- 
tory, Arthur St. Clair, was an ardent l^'ederalist and undoubtedlv his pro- 
nounced political N'iews had something to do with his removal from the 
office on November 22, 1802. I'Tom that time until 183O the Democratic 
party, or the Republican or Democratic-Kepublican, as it was at hrst called, 
controlled the state, and it was not until William Henr}- Harrison, a "fa\orite 
son," became a candidate for the presidenc}', that the Whigs were al)le to 
break the strength of the Democratic i)arty in the state. In 1836. 1840 and 
1844 the Whigs carried the state for the President. The panic of 1837, the 
popularity of Harrison and the Texas question were largely determining 
factors in the success of the \Miigs. The Democrats regained sufficient 
power in 1848 to carry the state again and repeated their victory in 1852. In 
1856 John C. Fremont carried the state for the newly organized Republican 
party and since that year there has been only one Democratic electoral vote 
in the state of Ohio. In i8g2 Gro\er ClcA'cland receixed one of Ohio's 
twenty-three electoral votes, but with this exception the state has cast a 
solid Republican \'Ote for President every year since r85('>. Ohio has fur- 
(4) 



so 



FAVHTTE COL'NTV, OtTiO. 



nished five I'residciits of ihc Initcd States: William Henry ilanison. 
Rutherford V>. 1 laves. )anies A. (larHeld, William WcKinley and William H. 

Tatt. 

Wb.ile the state has been registering Republican votes for the President, 
it has had eight Democratic governors and has frequently elected them by 
large majorities. A complete list of the governors of the state, with the 
years of their tenure and their politics, is given at this point for reference: 



Governor. 

Edward Tiffin 

Thomas Kirker (acting) 

Samuel Huntington 

Return Jonathan Meigs 

Othniel T.ooker (acting) 

Thomas \\'orthington 

Ethan Allen I'rown 

Allen Trim])le (acting) 

leremiah Morrow 

Allen Trimble 

Duncan Mc Arthur 

Robert Lucas 

Joseph Vance 

Wilson Shannon 

lliomas Corwin 

Wilson Shannon 

Thomas W. Hartley (acting) __. 

Mordecai Hartley 

William Rebb 

Seabury Eord 

Reuben Wood 

William Medill (acting, 1853), 

Salmon P. Chase 

William Dennison, Jr 

David Tod 

John I trough 

Charles :\nderson (acting) 

Joab Cox 

Rutherford B. Hayes 

Edward E. Noves 



'enure. Politics. 

803-07 Democratic- Rep. 

807-oq Democratic-Rep. 

809-] 1 Democratic-Rep, 

8iT-i,| :! )emocratic-Rep. 

S 1 4- 1 5 Democratic-Rep. 

(S I 3- 1 (} Democratic-Rep. 

S I (}-22 Democratic-Rep. 

Sj_>-_'3 Democratic- Rep. 

823-27 1 )emoc rat 

827-3 ^' Democrat 

831-33 National Republican 

833-37 Democrat 

^^^y-^:>,q W^iig 

83(^4 1 Democrat 

84 1 -43 Whig 

84 3-44 Democrat 

84.1-j^ Democrat 

84^-47 Whig 

8;7-4<, Whig 

8 Kj-51 . Whig 

83T-53 l^emocrat 

853-56 Democrat 

856-60 Republican 

860-62 Republican 

86)2-64 Republican 

864-65 Republican 

8()5-66 Republican 

866-68 Republican 

868-72 Repul )lican 

872-74 Republican 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 5I 

William Allen 1874-76 Democrat 

Rutherford B. Hayes T876-77 Republican 

Thomas L. Young '877-78 Republican 

Richard M. Bishop [878-80 Democrat 

Charles Foster 1880-84 Republican 

George Hoadley 1884-86 Democrat 

Joseph Benson Foraker 1886-90 Republican 

James F. Campbell 1890-92 Democrat 

William AlcKinley 1892-96 Republican 

Asa S. Bushnell 1896-00 Republican 

George K. Nash 1900-04 -.Republican 

Myron T. Herrick 1904-06 Republican 

John M. Patterson (died in ofifice) 1906 Democrat 

Andrew Litner Harris 1906-09 Republican 

Judson Harmon 1909-13 Democrat 

James M. Cox 1Q13 — Democrat 

The political history of Ohio can not be dismissed without reference to 
the amendments incorporated in the constitution in 191 2 which ha\e made 
the constitution practically a new instrument of gox'crnment. The general 
tendency of the tliirty-three amendments is to make a freer expression of 
democrac}' through the medium of the initiative and referendum, direct pri- 
maries and home rule for cities. A workmen's compensation law was enact- 
ed which provides for compulsory contributions to an insurance fund by the 
employers of the state. Manv changes were made in providing for improve- 
ments in social and industrial conditions. (Ihio now has a constitution 
which is sufhcienth' f1exil)le to allow changes to bt- made l>y amendment with- 
out the trouble of a constitutional convention. 

B0UND.\KV LINES. 

The state l)oundaries of Ohio have been the cause for most animated 
discussions, not onl\- in regard to state limits but county and tow'uship lines 
as well. In 1817, and again in 1834. a severe controversy arose over the 
boundary between Ohio and Michigan which was settled only after violent 
demonstrations and government interference. 

In primitive times the geographical position, extent and surface diversi- 
ties were but meagerly comprehended. In truth, it may be asserted they 
could not have been more at variance with actual facts had thev been laid otit 



52 KAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

"haphazard." The Ordinance of i/cS/ represented Lake AJichigan far noith 
of its real position, and even as late as 181 j its size and location had not been 
definitely ascertained. During tliat year Amos Spafford addressed a clear, 
comprehensive letter to the goNernor of Ohio relative to the boundary lines 
between Michigan and Ohio. Scxeral lines of survey were laid out as the 
first course, but either Alichigan or Ohio expressed disapproval in every case. 
This dispute came to a climax in 1.X33 when the party beginning a "perma- 
nent" surve}' began at the northwest corner of the state and was attacked by a 
force of Michigan settlers who sent them awav badly routed and beaten. .\o 
effort was made to return to the work until the state and various parties had 
weighed the subject, and finall\ the inter] )osition of the government became 
necessary. .V settlement resulted in the establishment of the present boundary 
line between the two states, Michigan being pacified w ith the grant of a large 
tract in the northern peninsula. 

Ohio is situated between the ^:;8 J3' and _|_' north hititude, and 
80' 30^ and cS4 50' west longitude from (ireenwich, or 3 30' and 7 50' 
west from Washington. b>om north to south it extends o\er two hundred 
and ten miles, .and from east to west two hundred and twenty tniles — com- 
l)rising thirt^•-nine thousand nine hundred and sixty-four S((uare miles. 

The state is generallv higher than the Ohio ri\er. in the southern 
counties the siu'face is greatly di\ersifie(l 1)\ the ineiiualities [)roduced ])\ the 
excavating power of the Ohio ri\er and its tril)utaries. The greater ])ortion 
of the state was originally cox'ered with timl)er, although in the central and 
northwestern sections some prairies were fotmd. The crest or watershed be- 
tween the waters of Take Erie and those of the Ohio is less elevated than in 
New York or Pennsyhania. .Sailing upon the Ohio the cotuitry api)ears to 
be mountainous, blufi^s rising to the height of two hundred and fift)' to six 
hundred feet above the bed of the ri\er. Ascending the tributaries of the 
Ohio, these i)recipitous hills graduall\- lessen until they are resolved into 
gentle undulations and toward the sources of the ri\er the land becomes low 
and leA'el. 

Although Ohio has no inland lakes of importance, it possesses a favor- 
able ri\er system which gives the state a con\enient water transportation. 
The lake on the northern Ijoundarw and the Ohio river on the south afford 
convenient outlets by water to important points. The means of communica- 
tion and transportation are superior in every respect, and are constantly being 
'ncreas'ed by railroad and electric lines. 



FAYETTE COLXTV. OHIO. 53 

ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES AND EARLY EVENTS. 

Adams county was named in honor of John Adams, the second Presi- 
dent of the United States. Governor St. Clair proclaimed it a county on 
July ID, 1797. The Virginia Military Tract included this section, and the 
first settlement made within its boundaries was in this county in 1790-91, 
between the Scioto and Little Miami, at Manchester, by Gen. Nathaniel 
Massie. In this town was held the first court of the county. West Union, 
the present county seat, was laid out by the Honorable Thomas Kirker. It 
occupies the summit of a high ridge. The surface of this county is hilly and 
l)roken, and the eastern part is not fertile. It produces corn, wheat and oats. 
Its hills are composed of aluminous shale. 

Ashland county, one of the finest agricultural sections, was formed 
February 26, 1846. Wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, grass and fruit are raised. 
Ashland is its county seat and was laid out by William Montgomery in 1816. 
Jt was called Uniontown for several years. Daniel Carter raised the first 
cabin within the county limits in 1811. 

Auglaize county w^as formed in February. 1848, from Allen and Mercer 
counties. Wapakoneta is its county seat. 

Allen county w-as formed from the Indian territory April i, 1820. Lima 
is its county seat. 

Ashtabula county was created June 7, 1807, and was organized January 
22, 1811. The surface is level near the lake, while the remainder is undu- 
lating. The soil is mostly clay. This was the first county settled on the 
Western Reserve and also the earliest in northern Ohio. On the 4th of 
July, 1796, the first surveying party arrived at the mouth of Conneaut creek. 
Judge James Kingsbury was the first who wintered there with his family. He 
was the first man to use a sickle in the first wheat field in the Western Re- 
serve. Their child was the first born on the Western Reserve and was 
starved to death. The first regular settlement was at Harpersfield in 1798. 
Jefferson is the county seat. Ashtabula is pleasantly situated on the river, 
with a fine harbor tw^o and a half miles from the village. The first church on 
the Western Reserve was founded at Austinburg in 1801. 

Athens county was formed from Washington March i, 1805. It pro- 
duces wheat, corn, oats and tobacco. The surface is hilly and broken, with 
rich bottom lands between. Coal, iron ore and salt add materially to its com- 
mercial value. Athens, its county seat, is situated on the Hocking river. 
Ohio University, the first college founded in the state, is located here. We 
ha\'e mentioned the ancient mounds found in this count\- heretofore. 



54 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Brown coiint\- was formed ALarcli i, i8i8, from Adams and Clermont. 
Jt produces wheat, corn, rye and oats. The southern part is prohfic in grain, 
while the northern is adapted to grazing purposes. The surface is undulating, 
with the exception of the Ohio river hills. Over this county Tecumseh once 
held sway. Georgetown, the county seat, was laid out in 1819. Ripley is 
the largest business town in the county. 

Belmont county was created by Governor St. Clair September 7, 1801. 
It produces large crops of wheat, oats, corn and tobacco. It is a picturesque 
tract ^)f countr}', and was one of the ])ioneers in the early settled portions. In 
1790 Fort Dillie was erected on the west side of the Ohio. Baker's Fort was 
a mile below the mouth of the Captina. Many desperate Indian battles were 
fought within the limits of this county, and the famous Indian scout, Lewis 
Wetzel, roamed over the region. Saint Clairsville is the county seat, situated 
on the ele\ation of land, in a fertile district. Captain Kirkwood and F.liza- 
beth Zane, of historic fame, were early pioneers here. 

Butler county was formed in 1803 from Hamilton. It is within the 
blue limestone formation, and one of the most fertile sections of ( )hio. Ham- 
ilton, the county seat, is situated on the (ireat Miami. Its hydraulic works 
furnish superior water power. Rossville, on the opposite side of the Miami, 
is a large mercantile town. St. Clair passed through this county on his 
Indian campaigns in 1791. building Fort llamilton on the Miami. 

Champaign county was formed March i, 1805, from Greene and b'rank- 
lin. It is drained by Mnd river and its tributaries. The soil is fertile, and 
produces wheat, corn, barley, hay, while l)eef and wool add to the general 
wealth. L'rbana, the count}' seat, was laid out in 1805. by Col. William Ward. 
He was the chief owner of the land and donated many lots to the county 
under condition that their ])roceeds ])e dexoted to public improvements. Joseph 
\'ance and George i-ithian were the first settlers. The .Methodists built the 
hist cliurcb in 1807. The main arniv of Hull concentrated at this point I)ef(jre 
setting out for Detroit. Man}' Indian councils were called here and Tecumseh 
was located for a time near Deer creek. 

Carroll count\' was formed from Columbiana in 1832-33. It produces 
wheat, o.ats and corn, and \aluable coal and iron. The surface is hilly. Car- 
rollton is its county seat. 

Clark county was formed March 1, 1817, from Champaign, Madison 
and Greene. Its second settlement was at Kreb's Station in 1796. It is 
highly cultivated, well watered and very fertile. Tecumseh, the old Indian 
warrior, was born at the ancient Indian x'illage of Piqua, on the Mad ri\cM- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 55 

on the site of New Boston. Piqua was destroyed by Gen. George Rogers 
Clark. Skeletons, beads, gun barrels, tomahawks, kettles, etc., have been 
found in the vicinity. Springfield, the county seat, is situated on the national 
road. It has convenient transportation facilities, is handsomely laid out, and 
is noted for its cultured citizens. It is near Mad river and Buck creek runs 
'through it. 

Clinton county was formed in 1810. Its surface is undulating, in some 
parts hilly, and the soil fertile. The county was settled in 1798-99. Wil- 
mington is the county seat, and was laid out in 1810. The first log house was 
built Iw William Hobsin. 

Clermont county was the eighth formed in the Northwest Territory by 
proclamation of Governor St. Clair. December 9. 1800. The soil is exceed- 
ingly rich, and the surface is broken and, near the Ohio, hilly. Wheat, corn, 
oats, hav, potatoes, tobacco, liarley, buckwheat and r}e form the main crops. 
Batavia. its county seat, is situated on the Little Miami river and was laid out 
in 1820 by George Ely. 

Columbiana county was formed March 25. 1803, from Jefferson and 
Washington. Its soil is very fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. 
It is wealthy in mineral deposits, coal, iron ore, lime and freestone being 
abundant. Its water-line stone is of superior quality. It was settled in 1797. 
Lisbon is the county seat. The first paper mill in Ohio was erected in this 
county, on Little Beaver creek, by John Coulter and John Bever. 

Coshocton county was organized April i, 181 1. Hills and valleys alter- 
nate along the Muskingum river. Coal and iron ore add to its general im- 
portance. Coshocton, the county seat, is built on four wide, natural terraces, 
at the junction of the Tuscarawas and Walhonding. 

Cuyahoga county was formed June 7, 1807, from (ieauga county. Near 
the lake the soil is sandy, while a clayey loam ma}' be found elsewhere. As 
early as 1775 there was a French settlement within the boundaries of Cuya- 
hoga. In I78() a IMoravian missionary came to the present site of Cleve- 
land and settled in an abandoned village of the Ottawas. Circumstances pre- 
\enied a permanent settlement, and the British tacitly took possession, even 
remaining u^jon the lake shores after the Revolution. The first permanent 
settlement was made at Cleveland in 1796. Job \'. Stiles and family 
and lulward Paine ])assed the first winter there, llieir log cabin standing 
where the Commercial Bank is now located. Rodolphus Edwards and Na- 
thaniel Doane settled here. In 1813 the town was a depot of supplies and a 
rendezNous for tro()])s engaged in the war. Cleveland, the county seat, is 



56 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

situated at the nurlheni termination of the old Ohio canal on the lake shore. 
In 1814 it was incorporated as a village, and in 1836 as a city. Its elevation 
is ahout a hundred feet aboxe the lake. Ohio City is another important town 
nearly opposite Clexeland on the Cuyahoga. It was incorporated in 1836. 

Crawford county was formed .\pril [, [820, from the old Indian Terri- 
tor\. I'he entire county is adapted to grazing. The soil is generally com- 
posed of rich vegetable loam and m some parts the subsoil is clay mixed with 
lime. Rich beds of shell marl have been discovered. Bucyrus, the county 
seat, was laid out February 11, 1822, by Samuel Norton and James Ivil- 
bourn. original owners of the land. The first settler in the tov^'n proper was 
Samuel Norton. Crawford's sulphur springs are located nine miles from 
Bucyrus. The water is impregnated w ith sulphuretted hydrogen and deposits 
a reddish-purple sediment. In its nature the water is a cathartic, and is 
diuretic and diaphoretic in its efl^ects. The .Vnnapolis Sulphur Spring is clear 
and has gained considerable fame by its curative qualities. Opposite Bucyrus 
is a chalybeate spring of tonic qualities. 

Darke count\ was organized in March. 1817, from Miami county. In 
this county occurred the lamental^le defeat of St. Clair, and the treaty of 
Greenville. Greenville, the county seat, was laid out August 10, 1808, by 
Robert Gray and John Dover. In December, 1793, Wayne built Fort Green- 
ville on this spot, wdiich covered about the same extent as the present town. 

Delaware county was formed February 10, 1808. from Franklin. Dela- 
ware, the county seat, was laid out in the spring of t8o8, by Moses Byxbe. 

Defiance county was created March 4, 1845, from Williams, Henry 
and Paulding. The Maumee, Tiffin and Auglaize flow through it. The 
county is now one of the largest producers of sugar beets in Ohio. Defiance, 
the county seat, is situated on the Maumee. It was laid out in 1822 by B. 
Level and H. Phillips. A large Indian settlement occupied its site in very 
early times. Wayne arri\'ed here August 8, 1794, captured the place, finding 
about one thousand acres of corn, peach and apple orchards and vegetables 
of all varieties. Here he built Fort Defiance. 

Erie county was formed in 1838 from Huron and Sandusky. The soil 
is alluvial and yields large crops of wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. It pos- 
.sesses inexhaustible quarries of limestone and freestone. The Erie tribe is 
said to have once occupied the land and were extirpated by the Iroquois. As 
early as 1754 the French had built settlements here. In 1764 the county was 
overrun by Pontiac. who came here with warlike demonstrations, but made 
peace with the whites. Erie was included in the "fire lands" of the Western 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 57 

Reserve. Sandusky City is the county seat and was laid out in 1817, then 
termed Portland. At that time it contained two log huts. The town is finely 
situated and is jjased upon an inexhaustible quarry of the finest limestone. 
In the "patriot war"' with the Canadians, this city was the rendezvous for the 
"patriots." 

Franklin county was formed April 30, 1803, from Ross. It was in early 
times occupied by the Wyandot Indians. Its first white settlement was made 
in 1797 by Robert .Vrmstrong and others. Franklinton was laid out in 1797 
by Lucas Sullivan. Worthington was settled by the Scioto Comjnny in 1801. 
Colonel Kilbourn, who was interested in the work, constructed the first map 
of Ohio during his explorations by uniting sectional diagrams. Columbus, 
the capital of the state, is also the county seat of Franklin county. In 1810 
the sessions of the Legislature w^ere held at Chillicothe, in 181 1 and 1812 at 
Zanesville. removing again to Chillicothe, and in t8i6 being located at 
Columbus. The town w'as laid out during the spring of 1812. A penitentiary 
was erected in 181 3 and the state house was built in 1814. It w^as incorpor- 
ated as "the borough of Columbus" February 10, 1816. The city charter was 
granted March 3, 1834. It is beautifully located on the east bank of the 
Scioto. The Ohio Lunatic Asylum, the Ohio Institution for the Education 
of the Blind and the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Deaf and 
Dumb are located at Columbus. 

F^airfield county was formed by proclamation of Governor St. Clair. 
December 9, 1800. The soil is varied, lieing in some parts exceedingly rich, 
and in others very sterile. Lancaster, the county seat, was laid out by 
Ebenezer Zane in 1800. In 1797 he opened the road known as "Zane's 
Trace," from Wheeling to Limestone — now Maysville. It passed through 
Lancaster at a fording about three hundred yards below the present turn])ike 
bridge. 

Fayette county was formed from Ross and Highland in 1810. Wash- 
ington, its county seat, was laid out in 1810. Colonel Stewart was active in 
the interests of this section and his memory is sacredly revered. Jesse Milli- 
kan was prominent in early public affairs. 

Fulton county, bordering on Michigan, was organized in 1850. It is 
drained by Bean creek and other small affluents of the Maumee river. The 
surface is nearly level and the soil fertile. Wauseon is the county seat. 

Guernsey county was organized in March, i8to. It produces wheat 
corn and oats. Cambridge is the county seat and w^as laid out in June, 1806. 
Mr. Graham was the first settler on the site of the town and his was the only 



58 FAYETTE COUNTY, OIITO. 

tlwelling between Lancaster and Wheeling. The hrst cannel coal found in 
the county was discovered near Mill's creek. 

Greene county was formed May i, 1803, from Hamilton and Ross. It 
produces wheat, corn, rye, grass seed, oats, barley, sheep and swine. The 
Shawnee town was on the Little Miami and was visited by Capt. Thomas 
Bullit in 1773. When Daniel Boone was captured in 1778. he was brought to 
this town and escaped the following year. General Clark invaded this 
county and the Indians reduced the town to ashes. Xenia, the county seat, 
was laid off in the forest in 1803 by Joseph C. Vance. The hrst cabin was 
erected in April, 1804. by John Marshall. The Rev. James Fowler built the 
hrst hewed-log cabin. David A. Sanders built the first frame house. Nine 
miles north of the town, on the Little Miami rixer. are the \'ellow S])rings, 
which are im[)regnated with sul])hur. 

Cieauga county was formed in 1805 from Trumbull. It is situated at 
the head of C'hargrine, Cuyahoga and a ])art of Gra.nd rivers, on high ground 
and is subjected to snow Siorms more fi'e(|uenth- than any otlier ])art of the 
reserve. Its hrst settlement was made in 1798 at Burton. Chardon is four- 
teen miles from Lake b'rie and is six hundred feet abo\e it. It was laid out 
as the count}- seat in 1808. 

Gallia county was formed April 30, 1803. from Washington. The sur- 
face is generally broken. Its hrst settlement was made in ]y()\ by a b'rench 
colony at (iallipohs. This colonx' was sent out under the auspices of the 
Scioto Company, lliis town is now the county seat. 

Hamilton county was the second established in tiie Xorthwest Terri- 
torv by proclamation of Governor St. Clair, January 2, 1700. Its surface is 
generally rolling. It produces the ordinary farm products and a great \ariet\- 
of fruits and vegetables for the Cincinnati market. This count}- was the 
second settled in Ohio and tiie hrst within the S}-mmes Purchase. Settlers 
arrived at the spot now occupied 1)}' Cincinnati and three or fnnr log cabins 
were erected. Gen. .\rthur St. Clair arrived here in January, 1700. The 
army of \\'a}-ne encamped here later, at Fort Washington. Mr. Maxwell 
established, in 1793, the "Sentinel of the Northwestern Territory," the first 
newspaper printed north, of the Ohio rixer. In 1796 Fdward Freeman ])e- 
came its proprietor and changed the name to "bTeemaii's Journal." Januar\ 
II, 1794, two keel-boats sailed from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, making regu- 
lar trips every four weeks. In 1801 the first sea vessel l)uilt at .Marietta came 
down the Ohio. Cincinnati, the county seat, was incorporated January 2, 
t8o2. Tt was chartered as a city in 1819. The city is beautifully laid out and 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 59 

delightfullv situated. Its public l)uiklings are elegant and substantial, includ- 
ing the court house and many literary and charital)le institutions. 

Cincinnati is a large manufacturing city and possesses fine water-power 
facilities. It communicates with the world by means of the Ohio river, rail- 
ways and electric lines. North Bend is another prominent town in this 
county, having been the residence of Gen. William H. Harrison, and the 
site of his burial place. The town was of considerable importance in the 
early settlement of the state. About thirty yards from Harrison's tomb is 
the grave of Judge Symmes. 

Hancock county was formed April i. iSjo. The surface is level and its 
soil is fertile. Blanchard's Fork waters the central and southern part of the 
county. Findla}-. the county seat, was laid out 1>y ex-Cio\ernor Joseph 
Vance and Elnathan Corry in 1821. It was relaid in i82cj. William X'ance 
settled there in the fall of 1821. 

Hardin countv was formed April i, 1820. from the old Indian Terri- 
tory. A i)ortion of the surface is level and the remainder undulating. Fort 
McArthur was built on the Scioto river but proved a weak stockade. Kenton 
is the county seat, situated on the Scioto river. 

Harrison county was formed from Jefferson and I'uscarawas, January 
I. 181 4. The surface is hilly, abounding in coal and limestone. Its soil is 
clayey. In April. 1799, Alexander Henderson and famih- settled in this 
county, and at the same time Daniel Peterson and his family resided at the 
forks of Short creek. The earl>- settlers were much annoyed by Indians and 
wild l)easts. Cadiz is the county seat and was laid out in 1803 and 1804 by 
Messrs. Hriggs and Beatty. 

Henry countv was formed from the (^Id Indian Territorx April 1. [820. 
Indian corn, oats, potatoes and maple sugar constitute the main products. 
The county is well supplied with running streams and the soil is unusually 
rich. The soil is superior for grain. hTuit thrives and all varieties of vege- 
tables are produced in large quantities. Simon (iirtw notorious for his 
wicked career, resided in this county, (iirly led the attack on Fort Henry in 
September. 1777. He demanded the surrender of the fort, and menaced its 
inmates with an Indian massacre in case of refusal. The action began, but 
ihe fort gained the victory. He led a ferocious band of Indians and com- 
mitted the most fiendish atrocities. Napoleon, the county seat, is situated on 
the Alaumee river. 

Highland countv was formed in May, 1805. from Ross. Adams and 
Clermont. It is a wealthy, productive county. Its first settlement began in 



6o FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

1 80 1, at New Market l)y Oliver Ross, Robert Keeston, George W. Barrere, 
Bernard VVeyer and others. Simon Kenton made a trace through this county 
in early time. Hillsboro is the county seat and was laid out in 1807 by David 
Hays on the land of Benjamin Ellicott. It is situated on the dividing ridge 
between the jNlianii and Scioto. The Hillsboro Academy was founded in 
1827. 

Hocking countv was formed March 1. ]8j8, from Ross, Athens and 
F'airfield. Its surface is 1)roken and hilly, ])ut is level and fertile beside the 
streams. The W'vandots once occujjied this tract and Imilt a large town 
herein. In I7(j8 a few white families \entured to settle. Logan is its county 
seat and is situated on the Hocking ri\er. 

Holmes count\' was formed from Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Wayne 
Ianuar^• 20, 182-4. Ihe soutliwestern portion is broken. Thomas Butler was 
the hrst settler in 18 10. Millershurg is the cotmt}' seat and was laid out in 
1830. 

Huron countv was organized in 1815. Xorwalk is the county seat. 

Jackson countv was organized March, 1816. The country is rich in 
nu'nerals aud aliouiids in coal ard iron ore. Jackson, the C(~)imty seat, was 
laid out in 1S17. T!ie old Scioto ^alt works w-ere among the hrst worked in 
Oliio 1)}' the whites. Prior to tliis ])eiiod the Indians came some distance to 
this section to make salt. When IX-miel Txvine was a ])risoner he sjjent some 
time at tlu'se works. 

Ktttr>ou couiUv wa^ i)r.)claimed by ('o\ernor St. Clair July _'<;, 1797, 
aud was tlie fifth count\- cslablish-d in ( )hio. Its resources in coal are also 
extensive. The surface is hilh- and the soil fertile, ])roducing wdieat, corn 
and oats. The old "Mingo" town was on the ])resent farms of Jeremiah 
llallock and Daniel Totter. The troops of Colonel Williamson ren- 
dezNoused at this point when they set out in their cruel Alora\ian campaign 
and also the troops of Colonel ( "raw ford, wlien they started on the campaign 
against the Sanduskv Indians. Here Logan, the powerful and manlv chief 
of the Mingo nation, once resided. He took no active part in the old French 
war, which closed in 1760. except that of a i)eacemaker. He was a .stanch 
friend of the whiter mitil the abominable and unprovoked murder of his 
father, brother and sister, which occurred in 1774 near the Yellow creek. 
He then raised the battle cry and sought revenge. 

However, Logan was remarkabh' magnanimous toward prisoners who 
fell into his hands The year T793 was the last spent in Indian warfare in 
Jefferson county. I'ort Steuben was erected on the present site of Steuben- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 6 I 

\illc. llic count} <(,'al. in 1789. it was constructed ot block-houses, with 
palisade fences and was dismantled during Wayne's campaign. Bezaleel 
Wells and Jdon. James Koss laid the town out in 1798. It was incorporated 
February J4, 1805. It is situated upon an elevated plain. In 1814 Messrs. 
Wells and Dickerson Iiuilt a woolen manufactory and introduced Merino 
sheep to the county. 

Kno.x count}' was formed Alarch i, 1808, from Fairfield. It is drained 
by the Vernon river. Mount X'ernon was laid out in 1805. "^ he early settlers 
found two v.ells on the N'ernon river built of hammered stone, neatly laid 
and near ]>y was a salt-lick. Their direct origin remains a mystery. Gilman 
Bryant, in 1807, opened the first store in Mount Vernon. The Indians came 
to Mount Vernon in large numbers for the purpose of trading in furs and 
cranberries. Fach Saturda}' the settlers worked on the streets, extracting 
stumps and impro\ing the highway. The first settler north of the place Avas 
N. M. Young, who built his cabin in 1803. Mount A'ernon is now the county 
seat, beautifull} situated on Vernon river. Kenyon College is located at 
Gambler. This institution was established under the auspices of Bishop 
Chase in July, i82(^, in the center of a four-thousand-acre tract belonging to 
Kenyon College. It was chartered as a theological seminary. 

Lucas count}' is of comparatively recent origin. This count}' is situated 
in the Maumee valley, which was the great arena of historical exents. The 
frightful battle of Wayne's campaign, where the Indians found the British 
to be traitors, was fought near Fort Miami in this county. Maumee City was 
laid out in 1817 by ]\lajor William Oliver and others. It is situated on the 
Maumee at the head of navigation. The surface is one hundred feet above 
the \\ater le\'el. This town, with Perrysburg, its neighbor, is exceedingly 
picturesque and was in earh' times frequented by the Indians. The French 
had a trading post at this point in 1680, and in 1794 the liritish Fort Miami 
was built. Toledo, the county seat, is on the left bank of the Maumee and 
covers the site of a stockade fort, known as h^ort Industr}-. erected in 1800. 
An Indian treat}' was concluded here July 4. 1805, by which the Indians re- 
linquished all rights to the "fire lands." In 1832 Capt. Samuel .\llen gave an 
impetus to the place and 2<iIajor Stickney also loecame interested in its ad- 
vancement. Speculation in lots began in 1834. The Wabash & Erie canal 
interest arose in 1836. Mr. Mason and Fdward Bissel added their energies 
to assist the growth of the town. It was incorporated as a city in 1836. It 
was the center of the nnlitary operations in the "Ohio and ]\Iichigan war." 
known as the "boundarv conflict." 



62 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

Lorain county was formed from Huron, Cuyahoga and Medina on 
December 26. 1822. The soil is generally fertile and the surface level. A 
curious relic has l)een found in this county, bearing the date of 1533. Elyria 
is the county seat and was laid out in 181 7. The first settler was Heman 
Ely. ■ Oberlin is situated about eight miles southwest of Elyria. Oberlin 
College has attained a wide reputation. 

Logan county was formed March i, 181 7. The surface is broken and 
hilly near the Mad river, but is generally level. The Shawnee Indians were 
destroyed in 1786 b\- a bod>- of Kentuckians under Gen. Benjamin Logan. 
The whites surprised the towns. However, they returned after the work of 
destruction had been completed and for many years frequented the section. 
On the site of Zanesville was a Wyandot village. By the treaty of September 
29. 181 7. the Senecas and Shawnees held a reservation arotmd Lewistown. 
April 6. T832. they vacated this right and removed west. Isaac Zane was 
born about the vear 1733 and was, while a boy. captured and afterward 
adopted h\ the Wvandots. Attaining the age of manhood, he had no desire 
to return to his people. He married a Wyandot wtmian. who was half 
I'Vencli. After the treatv of (ireenville he l)ought one thousand eight hun- 
dred acres on the site of Zanesville. where he lived until the year 1816, when 
he died, lamented b\- all his friends. Logan county was settled about the year 
1806. During the War of 1812 it was a rendezvous for friendly Indians. 
Bellefontaine. the county seat, was laid out March 18. 1820. on land owned 
by lohn 1\illes and William Lowell. Joseph Gordon built a cabin and An- 
thonv L.allard erected the first frame dwelling. Cien. Simon Kenton is buried 
at tlie head of Mad river, five nnles from Bellefontaine. He died April 29. 
i8:;(i. aged eighlv-one \ ears and twenty-six days. This remarkable man 
came west to Iventucky in 1771. He probably encountered more thrilling 
escapes than an\- other man of his time. In 1778 he was captured and suf- 
fered extreme cruelties and was ransomed by the British. He soon recovered 
his robust health and escaped from Detroit the following spring. He settled 
in Lrbana in 1802. He was commissioned brigadier-general of the militia 
and in the War of 181 2 joined (General Harrison's army. In the year 1820 
he removed to Mad river, (ieneral Wance and Judge Rurnet secured him a 
pension of twenty dollars a month. 

Licking county was formed from Fairfield March [, 1808. The surface 
is generally level, diversified by slight hills in the eastern portion. Coal and 
ir(^n ore of good quality add to the wealth of the county. Newark is the 
countv seat, and is situated at the confluence of the three i)rincipal branches 



FAVKTTE COIXTV, OHIO. 63 

of the Licking-. In 1801 it was laid out by Gen. William C. Schenk. George 
W. Burnet and John M. Cuniniings, who owned this military section of four 
thousand acres. In 1802 Samuel Elliott and Samuel Parr built hewed-log 
houses. The picturesque "Narrows of the Licking" are in the eastern part 
of the county. 

Lawrence county was organized March i. 1816. There are many high 
and abrupt hills in this section, which abound in sand and freestone. It is 
rich in minerals and the most important section of Ohio for iron manufac- 
ture. Coal is abundant and white clay exists in the western part suitable for 
potter\- purposes. The count}- was settled in 1797 by the Dutch and Irish. 
The iron region extends through the west part of this county, ironton is 
the county seat. 

Lake count\ was formed from Geauga and Cuyahoga March 6, 1840. 
The soil is good and the surface rolling. As early as 1799 a settlement w^as 
formed at Mentor. Painesville. the county seat, is situated on Grand river 
in a beautiful xalle}-. Painesville was laid out by Henry Champion in 1805. 
At h"airi)()rt the hrst warehouse in this section and probably the first on the 
lake, was huilt bv Abraham Skinner in 1803. This town has a fine harbor 
and lias a light-house and beaccju. Kirtland, southwest from Painesville. 
was. in 1834. the headfjuarters of the Mormons. At that time they numbered 
about three thousanfl. The old Mormon temple is of rough stone, plastered 
o\-er, colored l)lue, and marked to imitate regular courses of masonry. 

Madison countv was organized in March, 1810. The surface is gener- 
allv level. Jonathan Alder was much interested in the settlement of the 
county. He. like some other whites, had lived with the Indians many years 
and had formed a lasting affection for them, and had married a squaw. He 
became dissatisfied with his Indian wife and this caused him to look up his 
own fanfilv. He succeeded through the assistance of John Moore. He left 
his Indian wife and joined his people. 

This county was first settled in 1795. Benjamin Springer made a clear- 
ing and Inult a cabin. Joshua Swing brought four sheep to this place and 
the Indians exhibited great astonishment o\er these strange animals. When 
the hostilities of 181 2 began, the British ofl:'ered inducements to the Indians 
to join them and they consulted Alder regarding the best policy to adopt. He 
advised them to preserve neutrality until a later period, which they did, and 
eventualh- became firm friends of the Americans. London is the county seat 
and was laid out in 1810-11 by Patrick McLene. 

Marion counl\- was organized March 1. i82_|. The soil is fertile and 



64 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

produces extensive farm crops. The Delaware Indians once held a reserva- 
tion here and conceded their claims August 3, 1829, and then removed west 
of the Mississippi. Marion, the county seat, was laid out in 1S21 by Eber 
Baker and Alexander Holmes, (leneral Harrison marched through this sec- 
tion during his campaign. 

Mahoning county was formed in 184^ from Trumbull and Columbiana. 
The surface is rolling and the soil generally fertile. Bituminous coal and 
iron are found in large cjuantities. Col. James Hillman came to the Western 
Reserve in 1786. The settlement of the county went forward. Youngstown 
is the county seat. 

Medina county was formed from the Western Reserve February 12, 
1812. The surface is rolling and the soil is fertile, producing tine agricul- 
tural products. The first trail made through the county was made by George 
Poe, Joseph H. Larwell and Roswell M. Mason. The first settlement was. 
made by Joseph Harris in 181 1. He was soon joined by the Burr Brothers. 
Medina is the county seat. 

Meigs county was formed from Gallia and Athens April 1. 1819. The 
general character of the soil is clayey, producing large cjuantities of wheat, 
oats, corn, hay and potatoes. Pomeroy. the county seat, is situated under a 
lofty hill, surrounded by picturesciue scenery. Xathaniel Clark was the first 
settler of the county. He arrived in 181O. 'The first fRjal mine opened in 
Pomeroy was in i8ig by David Bradshaw. 

Mercer count\- was formed from the Indian lArritory in 1820. The sur- 
face is generally fiat. St. Clair's battle was fought on the boundary line be- 
tween this and Darke coinUw Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur made a 
treaty on St. .Marv's with the W'^andots. Shawnees and Ottawas in 1818. 
The odious Simon (iirt\- li\ed al one time at St. Mary's. Wayne built St. 
Mary's fort on the west bank of the river. John Whistler was the last com- 
mander of the fort. The largest artificial lake in the world, so it is asserted, 
is formed by the reservoir supplying the St. Mary's feeder of the Miami Ex- 
tension Canal. It is about nine miles long and from two to four broad. 
Celina is the county seat. 

Miami county was formed January 16, 1807, from Montgomery. It 
abounds in excellent limestone and possesses remarkable water-power facili- 
ties. Its agricultural products rank high in cjuality and quantity. John 
Knoop came into this section about the year 1797 and its first settlement 
began about this time. Troy, the county seat, is situated upr)n the Great 
Miami. Piqua is the largest city in the county. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 65 

Alonroe county was formed January 29, 181 3. from Belmont, Wash- 
ington and Guernsey. A portion of its surface is abrupt and hilly. Large 
quantities of tobacco are raised. Iron ore and coal abound. The valleys of 
the streams are very narrow, bounded by rough hills. In some places are 
natural rock grottoes. The first settlement was made in 1799 near the mouth 
of the Sunfish. At this time wolves were numerous and caused much alarm. 
Volney entered this county but was not prepossessed in its favor. One town- 
ship was settled by the Swnss. Woodsfield is the county seat. 

Montgomery county was formed from Ross and Hamilton May i, 
1803. The soil is fertile and its agricultural products are most excellent. 
Quarries of grayish-white limestone are found east of the Miami. Dayton 
is the county seat, situated on the Great ^liami at the mouth of Mad river. 
A company was formed in 1788, but Indian wars prevented settlement. After 
Wayne's treaty in 1795. a new company was formed. It advanced rapidl}' 
between the vears 1812 and 1820. The beginning of the Miami canal re- 
newed its prosperity in 1827. The first canal-boat from Cincinnati arrived 
at Dayton on the 25th of January, 1829. The first one arrived from Lake 
Erie in June, 1845. Col. Robert Patterson came to Dayton in 1804. -^t one 
time he owned Lexington, Kentucky, and about one-third of Cincinnati. 

Morgan county was organized in 1818. March 1. The surface is hilly 
and the soil strong and fertile, producing wdieat. corn, oats and tobacco. 
Pork is a prolific product and considerable salt is made. The first settlement 
vv^as made in 1790 on the Muskingum. McConnelsville is the county seat. 
Mr. Ayres made the first attempt to produce salt in 181 7. 

Morrow county was organized in 1848. It is drained b}- the Vernon 
river, which rises in it. by the East Branch of the Olontangy or Whetstone 
river, and by Walnut creek. The surface is undulating and the soil fertile. 
The staple products are corn, wheat, oats, hay, w'ool and butter. Mount 
Gilead, the county seat, is situated on the East Branch of the Olentangy river. 

Muskingum county was formed from Washington and Fairfield. The 
surface is rolling or hilly. It produces wdieat. corn, oats, potatoes, tobacco, 
wool and pork. Large quantities of bituminous coal are found. Salt is 
made in large quantities — the fine being obtained from a stratum of whitish 
sandstone. The Wyandots. Delawares. Senecas and Shawnees Indians once 
inhabited this section. An Indian town occupied the site of Duncan's Falls. 
A large Shawnee town was located near Dresden. Zanesville is the county 
seat, situated opposite the mouth of the Licking. It was laid out in 1799 by 
Mr. Zane and Mr. Mclntire. This is one of the princii)al towns in the state. 
(5) 



'66 FAYETTE COLrNTY. OHIO. 

X'dhle cuiinly. ()r^ani;^e(l iii i N5 i , is drained by Seneca. Uuck and Wills 
creeks. The surface is undulating and a large part oi it is covered with for- 
ests. The soil is fertile. Among" its mineral resources are limestone, coal 
and petroleum. Xear Caldwell, the county seat, are found iron ore, coal and 
-salt. 

Ottawa counts' was formed from I'Tie. Sandusky and Lucas March 6, 
1840. It was \ery thinly settled before 1830. lixtensive plaster beds exist 
on the peninsula, w hich extends into Lake Erie. It has also large limestone 
quarries, which are extensively worked. The \ery first trial at arms upon the 
soil of Ohio, during the War of 1812, occurred uj^on this peninsula. Port 
Clinton, the count}- seat, was laid out in 1827. 

Perry count\' was formed from Washington, Pairheld and Aluskingum 
March j, 1817. Fine tobacco is raised in large quantities. Wheat, corn, 
oats. ha}', cattle, pork and wool add to the general w^ealth. This county was 
lirst settled in 1801. The first settler was Christian Binckley, who built the 
iirst cabin in the county, aljout five miles west of Somerset, near the present 
county line. New Lexington is the county seat. 

Paulding count}- was formed from old Indian Territory August i. 1820. 
U produces corn, wheat, sugar beets and oats. Paulding is the county seat. 

IMckaway county was formed from h^airfield, Ross and Franklin January 
12, 1810. The county has woodland, barren, plain and prairie. The barrens 
were covered by shrul) oaks and when cleared are adapted to the raising of 
corn and oats. The Pickaway plains arc three and a half miles west of Cir- 
cleville and this tract is said to contain the richest land in Ohio. Here, in the 
olden times, burned the great council fires of the red man. Here the allied 
tribes met (jeneral Lewis, who fought the battle of Point Pleasant. Dun- 
more's campaign was terminated on these plains. It was at the Chillicothe 
towns, after Dunmore's treaty, that Logan delivered his famous speech. Cir- 
cleville, the county seat, is situated on the Scioto ri\er and the Ohio canal. 
It was laid out in 1810 by Daniel Dresbach. It is situated on the site of 
ancient fortifications. 

Portage count}- was formed June 7, 1807. from 'I'rumbull. It is a 
wealthy, thriving section. It also produces wheat, corn. oats, barley, buck- 
wheat, rye, butter and wool. Ravenna is the county seat and was originally 
settled bv the Hon. Ik'njamin Tappen in June, 170Q. In 1806 an unpleasant 
difficulty arose between the settlers and a camp of Indians in Deerfield. 
caused by a horse trade between a white man and an Indian. David Daniels 
settled on the site of Palmyra in 1799. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 67 

^ 'ike cuunl\ was organized in 1815. The surface is generally hilly. 
\\T,i(.li alionnd with freestone, which is exported in large quantities for build- 
in- ],uri)oses. Rich bottom lands extend along the Scioto and its tributaries. 
John Noland and the three Chenovveth brothers settled on the Pee Pee prairie 
about 1796. Piketown, the former county seat, was laid out about 1814. 
W'averly, the present county seat, is situated on the Scioto river. 

Preble county was formed March i, 1808. from Montgomery and But- 
ler. The soil is varied. Eaton, the count}' seat, was laid out in 1806, by 
William Bruce, who owned the land. An overflowing well of strong sulphur 
water is near the town, while directly beside it is a limestone quarry. Holder- 
man's quarry is about two miles distant, from which is obtained a beautifully 
clouded gray stone. Fort St. Clair was built near Eaton in the winter of 
I/O J -92. General Harrison was an ensign at the time and commanded a 
guard every other night for three weeks during the building. The severe 
battle of November 6, 1792, w^as fought under its very guns. Little Turtle, 
a distinguished chief of the Miamis, roamed over this county for a time. He 
was witty, brave and earnest and, although engaged in several severe con- 
tests with the whites, he was inclined toward peace. But when his warriors 
cried for war he led them bravely. 

Putnam county was formed April 1, 1820, from old Indian Territory. 
The soil is fertile, its principal productions being wheat, corn, potatoes and 
oats. Kalida, once the county seat, was laid out in 1834. Ottawa is the 
county seat. 

Ross county was formed August 20, 1798, by the proclamation of 
(jovernor St. Clair and was the ninth county formed in the Northwest 
Territory. The Scioto river and Paint creek run through it. bordered with 
fertile lands. It exports cattle and hogs. The Rev. Robert VV. Finley, in 
T794. addressed a letter of inquiry to Col. Nathaniel Massie. as many of his 
associates had designed settling in the new state. This resulted in packing 
their several effects and setting out. A trivial Indian encounter was the 
only interruption they met with on their way. After Wayne's treaty. Colonel 
Massie and many of these early explorers met again and formed a settle- 
ment — in 1796 — at the mouth of Paint creek. In August of this year. Chilli- 
cothe was laid out by Colonel Massie in a dense forest. He donated lots to 
the earlv settlers. A ferry was established over the Scioto and the opening 
of Zane's trace assisted the progress of settlement. Chillicothe. the county 
seat, is situated on the Scioto. Its site is thirty feet above the river. In 
1800 it was the seat of the Northwest territorial g^overnment. It was in- 



68 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

corporated as a city in januan', i8oj. During the War of 1812, the city 
was a rendezvous for the United States troops. A large number of British 
were at one time guarded here. Adena is a beautiful place and the seat of 
Governor W'orthington's mansion, which was built in 1806. 

Richland was organized March i, 1813. It was settled about 1809 on 
branches of the Mohican. Two block-houses were built in 1812. Mansfield, 
the count\- seat, is charmingl\' situated and was laid out in 1808 by Jacob 
Xewman. James Hedges and Joseph H. Larwell. The county was at that 
period a \ast wilderness, destitute of roads. From this year the settlement 
progressed rapidly. 

Sandusky county was formed .Vpril i, [820, from the old Indian Terri- 
tory The soil is fertile and country generally level. Xear Lower Sandusk\- 
li\ed a band of Wyandots, called the Neutral Xation. They preserx ed 
their peacemaking attributes through the Jrocpiois conliicts. l'"remont, f(»rm- 
erly called Lower Sandusky, the county seat, is situated at the head of navi- 
gation on the Sandusky on the site of the old reservation grant to the Indians. 
at the Greenville treaty council. Fort Stephenson was erected in .\ugust, 
]8i3, and was gallantly defended by Colonel Croghan. 

Summit county was formed Alarch 3. 1840, from Medina. I 'ortage and 
Stark. The soil is fertile and produces ex-cellent fruit, besides large crops ol 
corn, wheat, hay. oats and potatoes. The first settlement made in the count \ 
was at Hudson in 1800. The old Indian portage-path, extending through 
this countv, between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas l)ranch of the Musk- 
ingum. This was a part of the ancient boundary between the Six Nations and 
the Western Indians. Akron, the county seat, is situated on tiie portage sum- 
mit. It was laid out in 1825. In 181 1 Paul Williams and Amos and Minor 
Spicer settled in this \icinitv. Middle1)ur\- was laid out in 1818 by Norton 
and Hart. 

Stark count\- was formed l^'ehruarv 13. 1808. It is a rich agricultural 
county. It has large ([uantities of mineral coal and \vuu ore. Limestone 
and extensixe beds of lime-marl exist. bTederick Post, the first Moravian 
missionarv in Chio, settled here in 1761. Canton is the county seat, situated 
in tlie forks of the Nimishillen, a tributarx of the Muskingum. It was laid 
out in 1806, by Bezaleel Wells, who (n\ned the land. Massillon was laid out 
in March, T826, by John Duncan. 

Shell)}- county was formed in 1819, from Miami. The southern pcjr- 
tion is undulating, arising in some places to hills. Through the north it is a 
flat table-land. The first point of English settlement in Ohio was at the 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 69 

mouth of Laramie's creek in tliis county as early as 1752. Fort Laramie 
was built in 1 794 by Wayne. The first white family that settled in this 
county was that of James Thatcher in 1804. Sidney, the county seat, was 
laid out in 181 9 on the farm of Charles Starrett. 

Seneca county was formed April i. 1820, from the old Indian Territory. 
Fort Seneca was built during- the War of 1812. The Senecas owned forty 
thousand acres of land on the Sandusky river, mostly in Seneca county. 
Thirty thousand acres of this land was granted to them in 1817 at the treaty 
held at the foot of the >\laumee Rapids. The remaining ten thousand was 
granted the following \ear. These Indians ceded this tract, however, to the 
government in 1831. It was asserted by an old chief that this band was the 
remnant of Logan's tribe. Tiffin, the county seat, was laid out by Josiah 
Hedges in the year 1821. 

Scioto count}- was formed May 1. 1803. It is a good agricultural sec- 
tion, besides producing iron ore. coal and freestone. Tt is said that a French 
fort stood at the moutii of the old Scioto as earlv as 1740. In 1785 four 
families settled where Portsmouth now stands. Thomas McDonald built the 
first cal)in in the county. The French grant was located in this section — a 
tract C(Mn])rising twenty-four thousand acres. The grant was n-iade in March. 
1795. Portsmouth, the county seat, is located upon the Ohio. 

Trumbull county was formed in 1800. The original Connecticut West- 
ern Reserve was within its limits. The count}' is well cultivated and verv 
wealth}. Coal is found in its northern portion. Warren, the county seat, 
is situated 01-1 the !\lahoning ri\er. Tt was laid out by Ephriam Ouinbv in 
1 80 1. .Mr. (_)uml)\- owned the soil. His cabin was built here in 1799. In 
August, 1800, while Mr. McMalion was away from home, a partA of drunken 
Indians called at the house, abused the famil}-. struck a child a severe blow 
with a t(jmahawk and threatened to kill the family. ]\Irs. McMahon could 
not send tidings whicli could reach her husliand 1;)efore noon the following- 
day. The following Sunday morning, fourteen men and two bovs armed 
themselves and went to the Indian camp to settle the difficultv. Ouinbv ad- 
vanced alone, leaving the remainder in concealment, as he was better ac- 
quainted with these people, to make in([uiries and ascertain their intentions. 
He did not return at once and the party set out. marched into camp and 
found Quinby arguing with Captain George, the chief. Captain George 
snatched his tomahawk and declared war, rushing forward to kill McMahon. 
But a bullet from the frontiersman's gun killed him instantly, while Storev 
shot "Spotted John" at the same time. The Indians then fled. Thev joined 



JO 



FA^'i-ri'iK (1)1 \ n. on i() 



the council at Sanduskv. Ouinh}- garrisoned his house. Fourteen da\> 
thereafter, the Inchans returned with o\ertures of peace, which were, that 
AlcAIahon and Store\ he laken to Sandusky, tried by Indian laws, and if 
found guilt\ punished 1)\ them. This could not 1>e done. McMahon was 
tried by (General St. (."lair and the matter was settled. The first missionary 
on the reserve was the i\e\ . Joseph liadger. 

Tuscarawas count\- was formed h'ehruarx- 15, 1808. from Muskingum. 
It is well culti\ated with ahunchmt sui)i)lies of coal and iron. The lirst white 
settlers were ^lora\'ian missionaries, their first \isits dating" hack to 1761. 
The tirst permanent settlement was made in 180)3. Mary Heckewelder, the 
daughter of a missionary, was horn in this count\- April 16, 1781. Fort 
Laurens was ])uilt during the Revolution. It was the scene of a fearful car- 
nage. It was established in the fall of 1778 and placed under the command c^f 
General Mcintosh. .\ew Philadelphia is the county >eat, situated on the 
Tuscarawas. It was laid out in 18114 b\' John Kniselw A Clerman colon\- 
settled in this countA' in 1817, dri\en from their nati\e land l)y religious 
persecution. The}' called themsehes Se])aratists. They are good people, 
strictlv moral and honest. 

Union county was formed from I'ranklin, I )elaw are. Logan and .Madi- 
son in 1820. iLxtensixe limestone (piarries are also \alual)le. The Fwing 
brothers made the first white settlement in I7(;8. Col. James Curry, a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature, was the chief instigator in the progress of this 
section. lie located Avithin its limits and remained until his death, which 
occurred in 1834. Marysville is the county seat. 

\"an \\>rt countv was formed from the old Indian Territory .\])ril 1, 
1820. \'an Wert, the county seat, was founded by James \V. Riley in 1837. 
An Indian town had formerly occupied its site. Captain Riley was the first 
white man who settled in the county, arrixing in [821. He founded Will- 
shire in 1822. 

Vinton county was organized in J 850. It is drained b\' Raccoon and 
Salt creeks. The surface is undulating or hilly. Bituminous coal and iron 
ore are found. Mc.Xrthur is the county seat. 

Washington count}' was formed by proclamation of (n^vernor St. Clair 
July 2.~ , I 788 and was the first county founded within the limits of Ohio. 
The surface is broken with extensive tracts of level, fertile land. It was 
the first county settled in the state under the aus]iices of the Ohio Com])anv. 
A detachment of United States troops, under command of Major |ohn 
l^oughty, built Voxt Harmar in T785 and it was the first militarv post estab- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. /I 

iislied in Ohio h\ .\niericans, with llie exception of Fort l.anrens. which 
was erected in J 778. It was occu])ie(l hy I'nited States troops until \ /<)'■), 
wlien the\' \vere ordered to Connecticut. A com])an\ under ('a])tain Maskell 
remained. In 1 ySx, the (hrectors of the Ohio Coni])any hegan i)ractical opera- 
tions and settlement went forward rapidly. Campus Alartiu.s. a stockade 
fort, was completed in 1791. This formed a sturdy stronghold during the 
^var. During the Indian ^var there was much suffering in the county. Many 
settlers were killed and captured. Marietta is the county seat and the oldest 
town in (^hio. Marietta College was chartered in 1835. Herman Blenner- 
hassett, vvh.ose unfortunate association with .\aron Burr proved fatal to him- 
self. ^vas a resident of Marietta in 1796. 

Warren county was formed May t. 1803, from Hamilton. The soil is 
very fertile and considerable water power is furnished by its streams. Mr. 
Bedell made the first settlement in 1795. Lebanon is the county seat. Henry 
Taylor settled in this vicinity in 1796. Union Village is a settlement of 
Shakers. They came here about 1805. 

W'avne countv was ])roclaimed by Governor St. Clair. August 15, r796, 
and w^as the sixth county in the Northwest 1>rritory. The settlement of this 
section has already been briefiy delineated. W'ooster is the county seal. It 
was laid out during the fall of 1808. ])y John Beaver. William Henry and 
Joseph H. Larwell. owners of the land. Its site is three hundred and thirty- 
seven feet above Lake Rrie. The tirst mill was built by Joseph Stibbs in 
1809, on Apple creek. In 1812 a block-house was erected in Wooster. 

Wood countv was formed from the old Indian Territory in 1820. The 
soil is rich and large cto])s are produced. The county is situated within the 
Maumee a alley. It was the arena of In-illiant military ex])loits during early 
times. Bowling C.reen is the county seat. 

Williams countv v^as formed April 1, 1820. from the old Indian Terri- 
tory. Bryan is the county seat. It was laid out in 1840. 

WA-andot county was formed February 3. 1845, from Marion. Hardin, 
Hancock and Crawford. The surface is level and the soil fertile. The 
Wvandot Indians frequented this section. It was the scene of Crawford's 
defeat in June. 1782, and his fearful death. I5y the treaty of 1817. Hon. Lewds 
Cass and Hon. Duncan Mc.\rthur. Lnited States commissioners, granted to 
the Indians a reservation twelve miles scpiare. the central point being Fort 
b>rree. The Delaware reserve was ceded to the L'nited States in 1829. The 
Wyandots ceded theirs March 17. T842. The L^nited States commissioner 
was Col. John Johnson, who thus made the last Indian treaty hi Ohio. Fvery 



72 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

foot of this State was fairly purchased by treaties. The W'yandots were ex- 
cee(hn^ly hra\e and se\eral of their chiefs were men of exalted moral 
princi])les. 

l'])])er Sandnsk\ is the county seat and was laid out in 1S43. ( ieneral 
Harrison had l)uilt h'erree on this spot during the war of 1812. Governor 
Aleigs. in 1813. encamped near the river with several thousand of the Ohio 
militia. The Indian village of Crane Town was originally called Upper 
Sandusky. The Indians transferred their town, after the death of Tarhe. 
to L'pper Sandusky. 



CHAPTER II. 



GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY. 



Fayette county is bordered on the north by Madison county, on the east 
by Pickaway, on the soutli b\' Highland and Ross and on the west by Chnton 
and Greene counties. 

The geological formations of Fayette county are very little exposed, 
being generally covered with alluvial and drift deposits. However, where 
they are exposed they present a great variety of material, such as imbedded 
fossils, ores, coal and valuable stone. There are no swdft streams. There 
is a level surface of underlying rock, a superficial covering of deep, black 
loam, which condition is wonderfully suited to the pursuit of agriculture. 
In fact, the soil is adapted to all kinds of growth, including grasses and 
cereals. The production of good grasses has naturall}- led to the extensive 
raising of stock. 

WATER COURSES. 

There are numerous w^ater courses traversing Fayette county from the 
northern to the southern boundary, varying but little in direction. These 
streams are all sluggish in the upper half of their course, but they have 
adequate fall to constitute a good natural system of drainage. At an early 
day in the settlement of this part of the country the greater portion of the 
county was too swampy to admit the use of the plow, but since the streams 
have been cleared and ditches have been dug, the water is carried away in 
proportionate quantities to the amount remaining in the soil. 

The water courses of the county are singular in their uniformity of 
direction and trilmtaries. The main water channels are nearly parallel with 
each other and they take the same general direction, unifonnly to the east 
of south. This is true of Deer creek, as of Paint creek and its tributaries. 
There is another peculiar characteristic of the streams, that is. most of the 
tributaries enter the main channels from the west. This proves the county 
to be a natural water shed from east to south, and that as the lowest land in 
the county is at the point where the water leaves it, so the highest mav be 
discovered in the region whence it flowed, the northwest. 

Deer creek is about one hundred feet lower than the north fork of 



74 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Paint creek, on the line of the White Oak turnpike; Compton's creek, on the 
line of the New Holland and Bloominghurg turnpike, is fifty feet higher than 
the North fork and East fork is eighty-seven feet higher than North fork 
and main point one hundred and four feet higher than the same stream. 

LAND ELEVATION. 

The rise in the land from Washington to the northern boundary of the 
county is estimated to be about fifty feet; and from the extreme north t(^ 
the south along Paint creek the fall reaches almost two hundred and ten 
feet. Near Greenfield is a point four hundred and fifty-one feet above low 
water mark at Cincinnati and perhaps seventy-five feet above the bed oi 
the creek at the Fayette county line, the point of Paint creek, where it leaves 
the county, would be three hundred and seventy-six feet above low water 
mark at Cincinnati. Add one hundred and sixty feet, the elevation of 
Washington C. H. above Paint creek, at the southern line of the county, and 
the elevation of this town above low-water mark of the Ohio ri\er at Cin- 
cinnati is about five hundred and thirty-six feet, or nine hundred and sixty- 
eight feet above tide water. It will appear from these figures that the a\ er- 
age elevation of Fayette county is about two Jiundred feet less than that of 
Clinton county on the west. 

FORMATIONS. 

In tracing the line of outcrop of the \arious formations from a point in 
the western point of Clinton county, where Todd's fork leaves the county, 
it is found that the strata of stone at the bottom proceeds to the east. If 
a well were dug at Washington C. H., it would cut through all the strata 
found to the west as far as Cincinnati. It would first penetrate the strata 
overlying those exposed at Rock Mills, and, passing through these, would 
reach the strata represented at Paint creek, below Rock Mills, and then would 
reach the stone so abundant on Rattlesnake, from the line of the Washing- 
ton and Leesburg road to the south. It would next penetrate the water- 
line building stone of Greenfield and Lexington and. going deeper, would 
penetrate the great Niagara system, about one hundred and seventy-five feet 
in depth. The next strata would be the Clinton iron ore and then the strati- 
fied stone of this formation about thirty feet in thickness, and then, after 
cutting through three feet of a ferruginous clay, would reach the Cincinnati 
group, or blue limestone, and in about one hundred and twent\-five feet 
would reach the strata which are seen in Todd's fork, where it t^^^vs out of 
Clinton county. 



FAYETTE COUxVTV, OHIO. 75 

ll has been stated thai the average level of Fayette county is about two 
hundred feet lower than that of Clinton county, while numerous formations 
overlie in b'avette cor.nty those found exposed in Clinton county. This is 
explained by the dip oi tlic strata to the east. The water-line building stone, 
as seen at Lexington and Creentield, dips from thirty-five to forty feet per 
mile to the east, also a little to the north. In fifteen miles the dip would l)e 
about six hundred feet : subtracting two hundred feet, the difference in ie\ el. 
there would l)e left nearly four hundred feet to be made up in b'ayette county 
In' additional strata. 

While the deposit of sandstone which extends almost from the very 
border of Fayette count}- to the south indefinitely and to the east, un(lerl\ing 
the coal, was being made, the land to the north was above water, as well as 
when the deposits above the sandstone were made; at least, whatever mater- 
ial, organic or inorganic, was e\-er deposited here has long since disapj)eared. 
There is some e\'idence, however, that the slate which immediate!} un^lerlies 
the sandstone extended somewdiat farther north than the sandstone itself has 
been found. In Fayette county, near Rock Mills, about one hundred and 
twentv-five feet above the stream, also on several farms and near the south- 
ern line of the county, a slate formation is to be seen capping the highest 
point of land in the southern half of the count}-. The material must once 
have been continuous and may have extended farther than an}- traces of it 
are now found. 

Throughout these stratas there is evidence of vari(jus denuding and 
eroding agencies, which have tended to wear down the rock and channel it. 

THE DRIFT. 

The old channels became silted up and ()ther accumulations were made 
subse(juent to the i)eriod of denudation. I'he surface of the land sank so as 
to be ])eneath the surface of the water. Every indication points to water 
as the medium by which the deposits were made. Upon the surface of tlr.- 
stone is everywhere found more or less loose material. The study of thi> 
material, or drift, makes known the fact that it is composed of clay, with 
varying proportions of sand and gravel, with occasional rounded blocks of 
granite rock, and with the remains of trees and sometimes of other vegeta- 
tion. The greatest thickness of the drift is in Clinton county, east of the 
"prairie." where a deposit of over one hundred feet is found. The clays of 
the drift are both blue and yellow. The blue clay, or, as frequently called, 
blue mud. is uniformly found, but there is no uniformity in the thickness oi 
it. It ranges from two to forty feet in depth. It is generally interstra'iixHl 



76 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

with sand and fine gravel, but sometimes no such stratification is seen. Water 
is found nearly everY^vhere within a very few feet of ^the surface of the 
earth. 

There are found, scattered over the county, apparently belonging to the 
blue clav deposits, many boulders. In the. extreme northern part of Fayette 
boulders Aveighing from twenty to thirty tons have been discovered. 

GRAVEL AND SAND. 

Mingled with the drift deposits is always found a considerable propor- 
tion of gravel and sand, Imt being scattered throughout the whole masses, 
or, at most, showing only a .slight tendency to be distinct in strata, more or 
less mixed with soft material. For many years after the settlement of the 
county these gra^■el and sand deposits were not known. The demand for 
gravel in road making led to the discovery of their existence, and now there 
is material in plentw People have learned where to find it readily. \\'hen 
the currents of water carried away the higher drift deposits, the heavier con- 
stituents were left behind. The highest land may be regarded as the lard 
level at the beginning. There was then a deposit of loose material, some 
times a hundred feet in thickness above the bedded stone. This material 
was manifestlv deposited from water. The passage of glacier ice also is 
accountable for these deposits. When the water subsided new lines of drain- 
age appeared, depending upon the physical features of the countr\-. The 
emergence of the land was gradual and the subsiding water stood for greater 
or less periods of time at different levels. During the emergence of the solid 
earth the currents of water carried away some of the material constituting 
the drift sediment of the former period. Idiese channels of drainage mark 
the direction of the current. W^ithin these channels the drift deposits were 
sometimes removed to the bedded rock. The varying force of the currents 
distributed the material as we now see it. Strong currents carried all before 
them; the weaker currents just the finer material. 

The Niagara stone formation dips too far under the surface in Fayette 
countv to be of use, but tlie lower Heidelberg grou]), or water line, on Rattle- 
snake creek, is about one hundred feet in thickness and is accessible. The 
exact location where the greatest thickness may be obserxed is on the Wash- 
ington and Leesburg road, west of Rattlesnake. 

The locality of Rock Mills presents more points of interest to the geolo- 
gist than any other in FaA-ette county. There are numerous sliale and clay 
stratas visible here. 



CHAPTER III. 

COUNTY ORGANIZATION. 

In order to present the formation and organization of Fayette county 
properly, it is best to give a sketch of the territory from which it was taken. 
On July J/, 1788. Washington county was formed under the territorial 
government! and included all that part of Ohio east of a line drawn from 
Cleveland, up the Cuyahoga, down the Tuscarawas : thence west to the road 
from the Shawanoes town on the Scioto to Sandusky; thence south to and 
down the Scioto to its mouth. 

On Tanuarv 2. 1790. Hamilton county was organized, emijracing the 
territory between the two Miamis, as far north from the Ohio as the "stand- 
ing stone forks" of the Big Miami. On June 22, 1798. it was changed so 
as to include all that part of Indiana lying between the Greenville treaty 
line and the western line of Ohio and all that part of Ohio west of the Little 
Miami, to the lower Shawanoes town on the Scioto, and extending north to 
the southern line of Wayne. 

The county of A\'ayne. created August 6, 1796, began at the Cuyahoga, 
ran up that river and down the Tuscarawas to the portage above Fort Law- 
rence; thence west to the east line of Hamilton; thence west, northerly, to 
the portage of the Miami and St. Mary's; thence west, northerly, to the 
portage of the Wabash and Maumee. where Fort Wayne. Indiana, now is. 
extending to the southern point of Lake Michigan; thence along its wesiem 
shore to^he northwestern part : thence north to the territorial boundary in 
Lake Superior, and with the said boundary through Lakes Huron, Sinclair 
and Erie, to the place of beginning. 

Ross county was established August 20, 1798, "l)eginning at the torty- 
second-mile tree, on the line of the original grant of land by the L'nited 
States to the Ohio Company, which line was run l)y Israel Ludlow." This 
forty-second-mile tree was forty miles almost due north from Pomeroy, on 
the Ohio river, and a little distance southwest from Athens, in Athen- 
county. From this point it extended west into the western part of what is 
now Highland county, about ten miles southwest from Hillsboro; thence 
north to the southern boundary line of Wayne county, described above: 



78 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

thence east on said line to a point on the present sonthern boundary hne of 
Wayne county, ahnost (Uie south from Wooster. and a very Httle east of the 
eighty-second meridian west longitude ; thence south to the place of be- 
ginning. The eighty-second meridian west from Greenwich is perhaps not 
more than a mile west of the original eastern line of Ross county. 

It will be observed that the original east line of Hamilton was the Little 
Miami. Yet in the description of Wayne we find the words, "thence by a 
west line to the eastern boundary of Hamilton" ("which is a due north line 
from the lower Shawanoe town on the Scioto"). .Mso, that a portion of 
Hamilton, beginning at the mouth of Eagle creek, was attached to .Vdams. 

Highland count^' originally began at the twenty-mile tree, due nortli 
from the mouth of Elk creek, on the Ohio; ran east twelve miles; th.en north- 
east to the eighteen-mile tree from the Scioto, at the intersection of Ross, 
Clermont and .Vdams lines: "then to the mouth of the rocky fork of Paint 
creek: tlience up main Paint to the south line of h>anklin county (now 
Pickawa^■ ) : thence with said line west to the east line of Greene county; 
thence with said V\nc south to the southeast corner of the same; thence with 
the s(juth line west, to the nortlieast corner of Clermont (certainly Warren) ; 
and from the beginning west to the north fork of White Oak creek; then 
north to the line of A\'\arren county ; thence with said line east to corner of 
Clermont and Warren." 

b'axeltc countx' was created, Iroiu tlie counties of J\oss and Highland, 
on Januar\- i<;, iSio, the act taking effect Alarch 1st. Beginning" at the 
southwest of FMckaway, running north "with the line of said county to the 
c(;rnev of Madison: thence v>est ^vith said line to the line of Greene countv ; 
ihence south with (jreene county to the southeast corner thereof; thence 
east five miles; thence south to the line of Highland county; thence east wdth 
said line to Paint creek; thence in a straight line to the place of beginning." 
All the lower ])ortion ^vas taken from Higliland and the upper from Ross. 

The count}- was named for the .Mar(piis de Lafavette, the hTench soldier 
of fortune who so nolily assisted the American colonies in their struggle for 
independence. 

ORIGINAI, TOWNSHIPS. 

The county of Eayette was originally divided into six townships, Jeffer- 
son, Greene, Wayne, Madison, Paint and Union. 

Jefferson began at the north part of survey number 1093, ^n Paint 
creek, and followed its present boundary to the northwest corner of Jasper ; 
thence south along the present western boundary of Jasper to the southwest 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 79 

corner of the sanie; thence east five miles to the northeast corner of Clinton 
county ; thence northwest to the north part of survey 899, to Sugar creek ; 
thence with its present boundary to the beginning, including, as will be seen. 
the principal part of the present territory of Jasper. 

Tireen townshi]) began at Henry Snider's mill, on Sugar creek, thence 
up said creek with its meanderings to the line of Jefferson, northern part 
survey 899 ; thence southwest with said line to the northeast corner of Clin- 
ton county ; thence south with the county line to the southwest corner of 
Favette countv ; thence east with county line of Lemuel Hand's. Thence to 
Alexander Beattv's survey 3713: thence north, bearing west to Samuel Ed- 
ward's, north part survey 660; thence to beginning, including about three- 
fourths of the present territory of Perry, all of Concord and about a quarter 
of Jasper. 

It appears that about 1818 Green was reduced in territory by the forma- 
tion of Concord, whose boundaries there is no means of knowing until 
March 3, 1828, when its lines are given. Green, at that time, was limited on 
the north and west by a line beginning at the mouth of Hankin's run on 
Sugar creek at the lower bend, eastern part survey 626, and running south- 
west to Samuel Stockey's, a little north and east of Staunton, thence follow- 
ing very nearlv its present limits to the county line. 

When Perry was first formed it further reduced Green to its present 
limits, save that portion north of a line extending from near Buena Vista 
to the mouth of Sugar creek, thence up Sugar creek to Hankin's run, the 
western portion of which was subsequently, March 3, 1849, joined to Con- 
cord and the eastern to Perry, thus leaving it in its present shape in 1849. 

Wayne township originally included on the west all that territory not 
taken from Green in the formation of Perry and with her other lines nearly 
as they are now, except on the southeast corner of Union, at the mouth of 
Sugar, w^here we infer from the language used the line followed the creek 
(Paint). 

Madison township originally included all the territory now embraced in 
Madison and Marion until June, 1840, when it was divided and the southern 
portion called Marion, and the northern retained the original name. 

Paint township also was one of the original townships and has not 
been altered in its boundaries. 

Union township has preserved its original lines, with the exception of a 
few slight changes near the old Snider mill on Sugar and extending a little 
farther into Wayne, so as to touch the corner of Bernard's survey 739. and 
following the meanderings of Paint creek above the Brannon farm. 



8() FAYETTE COLNTV, OlIlU. 

PRESENT TOWNSHIPS. 

On March 5, 1845, William Rankin presented a petition to the commis- 
sioners for a new township to be taken from Jefferson and Concord, be- 
ginning in the northwest corner of R. Clayborn's sur\:ey 889 and following 
the present boundaries of Jasper until it strikes the southwest corner of 
Jefferson on Sugar creek, thence northeast, following the present line of 
Jefferson and Union to Paint creek, thence up Paint creek to the dividing 
line of the Trent and White surveys 942 and 1205, thence west to the be- 
ginning, including, as will be seen, the southern point of Jefferson. 

On the 2nd day of I)eceml)er, 1845, by petition of Joseph J. Parrott, 
Jasper township was reduced to her present limits and electors assembled 
April 7th at the house of John Andrews to elect officers. 

The following record gives the dates of the organi/cation of Concord: 
"Friday, May i, 1818. — It appearing to the court that a new township has 
been set oft' by the connnissioners called Concord, it is ordered that there be 
one justice of the peace elected in this township, the electors to meet at the 
house of Edward Figgins on the third Monday of the present month for thi'* 
purpose." 

The boundaries at this date are not given. In 1828 its bounds were 
defined as beginning on the east at Hankin's run and following the line of 
Green to the northeast corner of Clinton count}-, thence northwest to Sugar 
creek and down to beginning". In 1848 the line was run between lOncord 
and Green, beginning at Hankin's run, thence south thirt)-six degrees, 
twenty-six minutes west, three miles and one hundreil and t\\ent\- ])oles. 
crossing said run to a stake one-half pole on northwest side of a pile of 
clay, the remains of a chimney of John Draperls house; tlience south sixty- 
three degrees, four minutes west, three miles and one hundred sixty poles, 
to a road near Jerry McFlay's house, crossing Rattlesnake at forty poles, 
Lee's creek at two miles and fifty-tw^o poles, thence continuing same course 
south three degrees, four minutes, west one mile and forty-eight poles, to 
line of Clinton and Fayette counties, which distance eight miles and fourteen 
poles is well marked with a hand axe \\ith three hacks (jn the side. March 
3, 1849, this line was so altered as to run from the l>anks of Sugar creek 
where the lines of Concord and Cireen join, thence with the said line to th( 
state road running from Washington to Leesburg, thence north eight}-fi\c 
degrees, east to Perry township line, thence north with Perry and Green to 
Sugar creek, thence up the creek to the beginning, which portion was added to 
Concord for the convenience of schools and working tlie roads. 



FAVKTTE COl'X I ^■. oil lO. 8l 

M.iridU lowiisliii) was, in June, iN.jo, began by a petition sit^ned by tbe 
boiisfholders of Madison township. ])rayini^ tor a division of the same, so as 
lo Inini two separate townships. Tliis was jjresented to tlie connt\' commis- 
sioners, in pnrsnance of w iiich the board app()inted jacol) Creamer county 
surveyor, to ascertain whether there was territorv sufficient to warrant a 
division and. if so. to run a hue throu.i^h tiie center of the same, so as to 
make an equal (h\ision. Vhv sur\eyor. u.pon hn(hn,e' sufficient territory, 
proceeded to divide the townshi]) as per instructions. The board l)eing- satis- 
fied that the interest of the citizens of the aforesaitl townshi]) recpnred a 
division, ordered the report of the surveyor to be ])laced on record and said 
township estabhshed as laid down in said plat. 

"The northern part of the division shall be known as the original town- 
ship of Madison and the southern part shall be known as Marion township. 
That the electors of Marion township assemble on July i8, 1840, at the 
house of John McArthur on the Circleville road, to elect township officials. 
who shall continue in office until the next annual spring election." 

Perry township. — On the 4th of June. 1844, ^ petition was presented 
to the commissioners by N. Rush, as attorney, praying for a new township 
to be taken from Green and Wayne, whicli was refused on account of a re- 
monstrance by L. V. W'illard. 

On June 4, i<^45. a ])etition was presented by Robert Eyre and the new^ 
township was granted, called Perry. Beginning at a ])oint where the state 
road leading from Washington C. H. to Leesburg crosses Rattlesnake 
creek, thence on a straight line to Sanmel Briggs' mill, near the mouth of 
Sugar creek, thence down Paint creek to the Highland county line, thence 
west with said line to Rattlesnake, thence up said creek to the beginning, 
thus including a part of Wayne and Green. These linn'ts, as will be observed, 
left out that portion north oi the line, extending from near Buena Vista to 
the mouth of Sugar. 

On June 14. 1845. ^ petition was presented signed in- Wayman Stafford 
and a number of others protesting against the decision of the commissioners 
in forming a new township and finally an appeal bond was filed in the sum 
of five hundred dollars, w ith James Larkins and Anderson Rowe. securities. 
Notice was given of an appeal to the court of common pleas. Subsequently 
a decision was rendered favorable to its organization and that ]^ortion an- 
nexed north of the line from Buena Vista to Briggs' mill. 
(6) 



CHAPTER IV 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 



INDIAN INHABITANTS. 

In presenting" the early history of Fayette county it is necessary to 
give first a brief account of the first authenticated inhabitants of this porticMi 
of Ohio. These were the Indians. 

The great Algonquin fannly, perhaps the largest Indian federation iii 
the United States at that time, were undoubtedly the first of the red men t(^ 
inhabit I'avette coi-rtA-. I'lv re v,cr.' man\- lri1)cs coinposing this organiza- 
tion known as the Algon(|uins. but in the territory which later comprised 
Fayette county the Twigtwees, or Twightwees. called l^y the French Miamis. 
were the original possessors. It is said that at the time of the visit to them 
by Christopher Gist, the English agent for the Ohio Land Company, in 1751. 
thev were superior in numbers even to the Huron Iroquois, with whom they 
w^ere on hostile terms. Their country extended on the west as far as the 
Pottawatomie territory. l)etween the Wabash and Illinois rivers. On the 
north \,\ere also tlie Pottawatomies, who were slowl\ encroaching ujkju the 
Miamis, who. in turn, were gradually extending their territory westward into 
Ohio and absorbing the land claimed Iw the Huron Irocpiois. According to 
the best author! tw the\- were the undis])Ute(l claimants of the territory of 
( )hio as far \\est\\ard as the Scioto ri\er. 

The Piankeshaws, or Peanzichias-Mianus, a branch of the Algonquin 
family, were the men who first lived and hunted in Fayette county. They 
built their villages along the streams and spent their days hunting in the 
forest. The Wyandots. long before the coming of the English and the 
French, had resided in the territorv now embraced by Ohio. In 1841-2 
they ceded their lands to the United States commissioner. Col. lohii 
Johnston, and removed themselves beyond the Missouri. In about 1730 the 
Shawanoes came from Florida, under Blackhoof, and. as tenants-at-will of 
the Wvandots. took possession of the valleys of the Maumee, Scioto, Mad 
and Miami rivers. 



FAVET'IK COLNTV, OHIO. 



FIRST SURVEYS. 



'^3 



The territory of Virginia, granted In- the charters of King James 1, was 
very extensive. Three separate charters were granted and in each the Missis- 
sippi river was made the western boundary of the British provinces. Thus 
restricted, the territory of Virginia inckided all of that territory occupied 
by Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, and all of the land 
northwest of the Ohio river. Other negotiations later restricted this bound- 
ary of the V^irginia territory, although that state still held on to the North- 
west territory, comprising the present states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michi- 
gan, Wisconsin and the northern part of Minnesota. In 1779 Virginia 
opened an office for the sale of her western lands. Violent protest was 
made by other states and in 1783 Virginia passed an act allowing one hun- 
dred and hfty thousand acres of land on the northwest side of the Ohio 
river to Col. George Rogers Clark and his men. this land to be surveyed. 
The land embraced in this reservation was in the present state of Indiana 
and is largely in Clark county. Although this cession was made in 1783 it 
was not until 1824 that the definite boundary was established, by a decision 
of the supreme court. These lands were in the nature of bounties. 

In the winter of 1787 Major John O'Bannon and Arthur Fox, tw^o 
Kentucky surveyors, explored this Virginia reseryation with the view of 
making entries as soon as the law would permit. The pioneer sur\eyor in 
the district of Fayette county was Nathaniel Massie. 

The first portion of land entered within the territory of what is now 
Fayette county was a part of surye}- Xos. 243 and yyi in one tract, l}'ing 
partly in Clinton county, extending in a triangle into Fayette, southwest of 
No. 6623 in the southwestern part of Concord township. The next is a 
part of No. 428, extending into the extreme southeastern part of the county, 
and the first survey lying wholly within the county is No. 463, in the north- 
ern and eastern part of what is now Madison township, surveyed for Thomas 
Overton by John O'Bannon, June 30, 1796; John Hamilton and Joshua 
Dodson, chain carriers, and Edward Mosby, marker. This tract contained 
one thousand three hundred and thirty-three and one-third acres and was a 
part of military warrant No. 44. It was located northwest of the Ohio on 
Deer creek, a branch of the Scioto, "beginning at three white oaks and an 
elm, southwest corner to James Currie's suryey (471) running east three 
hundred and twenty poles, crossing Deer creek at one hundred and fortv- 
eight poles to a hickory and two black oaks, southeast corner to Currie. 



84 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

thence south eight, west ti\e hundred and ninety-se\"en poles, crossing the 
creek at one hundred and se\ent}--tour poles to a stake, thence north sixteen, 
east six hundred and hfteen to the beginning-.'" 

This land was entered by persons holding land warrants issued by the 
state of Virginia to her soldiers in the continental army and in the army of 
Gen. George Rogers Clark. In the majority of cases the original owners 
did not themselves enter the land, but other parties purchasing them located 
them. These surveys were numbered in the order in which the tracts of 
land were entered, the surve)^ taking its number from the entry. Thus it 
often occurred that a survey with a high number w-as surveyed long before 
one with a lower number. Also some surveys have several numbers, .\gain 
one entrv mavbe surxeyed into two tracts. Thus entry Xo. 66g. of one 
thousand acres, was surveyed into tracts, one of six hundred for Daniel 
Clark and the other of four hundred for James Dougherty, found in the 
southern part of Wayne township. These were surveyed by Nathaniel Mas- 
sie, both on the same day. March 13. 1795. returned to the land office, 
examined and recorded, the f(^rmer July 3d and the latter July 4th. I7g5. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

John Popejoy was one of the first residents of h"a}ette county. He 
came to Washington C. H. in 181 J. purchased a lot and erected a log cabin 
He was afterward a justice of the peace. He w^as a native of X'irginia. His 
death occurred in 1816 or 1817. He was an eccentric character and con 
ducted his legal business without a docket, simply keeping brief tab on a 
sheet of paper which he kept in the crevices of his cabin. 

Jacob Jamison came to this county several years l)efore its organization. 
He later purchased land two miles southwest of the \illage of Washington 
C. H. He was at one time severely stabbed by one of his neighbors, but 
finally recovered. He served as justice of the peace, collector, commissioner 
and associate judge. 

Samuel Waddle Avas a Kentuckian, came to Ross county, this state, and 
in 1810 came to Fayette, locating on a piece of ground five miles south of 
Washington C. H. He served in the Indian wars of 1812. In 18 14 he 
purchased seven lots in Washington C. H., for which he paid ten thousand 
dollars, but at his death the property did not bring one thousand dollars. 

John Dewitt was another of the first settlers. He was born in Kentucky 
and in 1806, accompanied by his uncle and brothers, came to Ross county. 



KAVETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 85 

Ohio. The party traveled the entire distance on foot. Dewitt remained in 
I\oss county two years and then came to Fayette. 

Jesse Rowe left his Virginia home when he was forty years of age and 
came to Ross county and in 1808 to this county, settling on Wabash creek, 
seven miles south of Washington C. H., where he purchased about fifteen 
hundred acres of land. 

Thomas Green was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, in the year 
1784. In 1808 he came to Ohio with his bride, traveling in a four-horse 
wagon. They settled in Highland county first and in 18 10 removed to 
Fayette, locating four miles southeast of Washington C. H. on Buckskin. 
He served as a teamster in the war of 181 2. 

Col. James Stewart, with his father, came from Maryland in 1807 and 
bought land in Ross county. In 18 10 he came to this county, and located on 
land adjoining Bloomingburg. In 1812 he was made a colonel of a regiment 
made up of Fayette county men. 

Hugh Steward was born in 1805 ^^^1 came to Fayette county for per- 
manent settlement in 1828. 

Philip Moor was a Kentuckian by birth and came to this county in 181 1, 
with his wife and nine children, traveling by teams. They crossed the Ohio 
on rafts at Maysville. Adam Funk, who was a neighbor of Moor's before 
the latter left Kentucky, purchased for him three hundred acres in Paint 
township, paying nine hundred dollars for the land. The family took pos- 
session on the 1st of April, 181 1, about one year after the first court had 
been held in the same cabin they now occupied, then owned bv a Mr. 
Devault. 

James Kirkpatrick and his family left Virginia in 1810 and came over- 
land to the cabin of Solomon Soward, in Jefiferson township, where they 
spent the winter. Upon arriving in this county they stopped at the cabin of 
Capt. Joseph Parrett and inquired for Soward's cabin. They were informed 
that it was located about two miles farther, on Paint creek. No road but a 
bridle path led to the place and they were compelled to leave their wagons 
behind. The next morning they returned for their goods and found them 
intact, although the neighborhood was filled with bands of Indians. The 
redskins were peaceable, but did not like the visits of the white men and soon 
left the neighborhood. 

James Hays was a native of Virginia and came to Kentucky in a verv 
early day. At the beginning of the nineteenth century he came to Pickaway 
county, Ohio, and in about 1805 to Fayette county. They settled on a two- 
hundred-acre tract in Paint township. 



86 ]-avI':tte county, onio. 

George Creamer came to Fayette county in 1810 from Berkeley count)', 
Virginia. 

Philip Fent came to this count}' from Greene county. Tennessee, in 
1814, accompanied by his family. He held a military grant of land from 
the government, but was deprived of it by poor management of his uncle, 
M'ho had it in charge prior to his arrival. He procured another tract, how- 
ever, in Jefferson township. He took fifty acres and gave his wagon in 
exchange. 

William Robinson, Sr., a North Carolinian, moved from \''rginia in 
1 80 1 to Greene county, Ohio. They remained here several years and then 
came to Fayette county. 

Adam Allen was a native of Pennsylvania, but ran away from home at 
the age of sixteen and enlisted in the Revolutionary War. At the close he 
went to Kentucky and engaged in running the Upper and Lower Blue Lick 
Salt Works. He was married in Kentucky to Miss Kyger and came to 
Clark county. Ohio. During the war of 181 2 he started to Fort \\^a}'ne to 
enlist, but hostilities were over l)efore he got there. He next came to 
h^avette county and "squatted" on the site of Allentown. TTe died in 1831. 
aged ninety-four. 

[ames Sanderson, a Kentuckian. came to Ohio in 1812 and settled on 
the Hite survey. No. 1223, consisting of one thousand acres in this county. 
The family followed an old Indian trace when coming from the Blue Grass 
state. 

Jacob A. Rankin was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1800, and at the 
age of tw^elve left his home because of the dissipation of his father and 
came to Bloomingburg, Fayette county, and was employed by Judge Gilles- 
pie as a farm hand. 

Rafe Durham, a Virginian, came to Ohio in 1816 and to this county 
twenty years later. 

Thomas Fullerton, a native of Pennsylvania and a graduate of Yale 
University, came to Fayette county in 1814. 

Hemy Strope left Pennsylvania on July 7, t8i2. in a covered wagon 
and came to Chillicothe and in 1814 came to Fayette. He settled on a farm 
in Marion township. 

Gen. Batteal Harrison was a Virginian by birth. He started with his 
parents for Kentucky while yet a child, but stopped with his aunt at ^^'heel- 
ing owing to the danger from Indians, while his parents went on into Ken 
tucky to find a home. They returned for him in two years, but he refused 
to leave his aunt and remained with her until he was a man. He recruited a 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 87 

company of men for the War of 1812 and after the war, in 1815, removed 
to the north fork of Paint creek and settled on a tract of land located by 
John A. Fulton on a warrant obtained by the services of his father in the 
Revolutionary War. This tract was in Madison township and consisted of 
one thousand and forty acres. General Harrison became one of the most 
prominent men in the county of Fayette. He was an associate judge and 
served several terms in the Legislature. 

The Aliens, Ananias and his sons, came from Pennsylvania about 18 10 
and settled near Bloomingburg, on what was then called the New Purchase, 
so called because it was the first purchase on the east fork of Paint creek. 
The Aliens all took part in the War of 181 2. 

Enoch Harvey, with his father. Samuel, and his brother. James, came 
from Virginia and settled on Deer creek, near Yankeetown, about 18 10. 
The Coons also came from Virginia and. in about rSco. located near the 
site of the Harvey s. They put up four or five small cabins for their accom- 
modation. Albert Ogden was a Virginian; came to this county near 1804 
and settled north of Yankeetown. Isaac Dickinson came from Virginia and 
located near Yankeetown. John Page was a settler of 1804 and a Virginian; 
he was one of the first justices of the peace of the county. He settled near 
the Dickinsons. 

James McCafiferty and his brothers were Virginians and came here 
about 1804 and settled northwest of Yankeetown. William Morgan came 
also from the Old Dominion in about 1808 and settled first in Ross county; 
then located adjoining Samuel Myers', on Duff's fork of Deer creek. Charles 
White came from Maryland about 1809 or 1810, and settled west of Myers', 
on Long branch of Deer creek. Thomas Barton, son of Stephen, came from 
Virginia in 1805 and settled just across Deer creek from N'ankeetown. 
Jesse Stretch came from Pennsylvania in 1804 and located south of Yankee- 
town. William Sawyer came from Island in 1810 and put up a cabin near 
that of Stretch. James Rozzell, from Pennsylvania, and Amos Hawkins, 
from Virginia, came in 18 10 and stopped near Yankeetown. Amstead Car- 
der, from Virginia, settled on the Springfield road south of Bloomingburg. 
He was a son of San ford Carder, an old Revolutionary soldier, who drew a 
pension. John McGowen was cook in the War of 181 2 in S. Myers' com- 
pany. 

Two bachelors by the name of George Kyle and Alexander Riley lived 
together in a cabin near Bloomingburg. but finally quarreled and parted, 
because one accused the other of being intolerably filthy. Riley subsequently 
moved to Com]:)ton's creek, but cut liay and fed cattle -on his farm. He 



88 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

would go in the evening- to feed his cattle, crawl into the haystack and remain 
until morning, feed again and return home. These old bachelors came to 
the county some time previous to 1810. 

Daniel Hinkde. a tall, swarthy Virginian, was a powerful man and 
noted for his fighting ability. John and Samuel Herrod were sons-in-law 
of Sanford Carder: both came from N^irginia, and, about 1808, settled on 
the west side of Madison township. Thomas Cook came from Maryland in 
1808. James Thompson, son-in-law of James Hays, came from Kentucky 
and settled on a fork of the north fork of Paint creek, which afterwards 
took his name. George Busic, in 1806, settled on Deer creek, hailing from 
Virginia. Sol Parker, also a Virginian, settled on the Springfield road in 
1808. George Jamison, from Kentucky, settled on Deer creek near the old 
Indian trace leading to Chillicothe. James Kerr, from Virginia, settled also 
on the Springfield road. John Mclntire, a very early settler, located south 
of Yankeetown. Gideon Veezey settled early on Paint creek. Mr. Salmon 
settled on a part of the old \"eva)- farm. He came from Delaware about 
1806. 

In the spring of 1811 Joel Wood, Adam Harper and Michael Kerr 
settled on a tract of land embracing one thousand and thirty-five acres, 
survey Nos. 5780, 7043 and 6879, lying partly in Paint and parti)- in Jeffer- 
son townships, with Paint creek running through the center. Mr. Wood 
moved from Pendleton county, Virginia, and, being a man of intelligence, 
was created one of the first justices of the peace. Mr. Harper came from 
Ross county, Ohio, and remained about a year, when he returned and his 
son, Benjamin, took charge of the farm. Mr. Kerr came from Virginia and 
first settled in Jefferson township. He was a farmer and the father of Col. 
S. F. Kerr, of Washington C. H. 

Thomas McDonald came from Kentucky to Ross county in 1794, with 
Nathaniel Massie, the early surveyor, and in 181 1 removed to Fayette and 
settled. 

In 1810 or 181 1 there was a large family of Aliens left Pennsylvania 
and settled in this county. Many of their descendants are still living: Elijah 
lived near the old Myers place, on the Bloomingburg and Danville pike, about 
four miles from the former; James and John lived nearer Bloomingburg. 
There were also George, Davis and Ananias. 

Jesse Milliken came from North Carolina and settled in Washington 
C. H. in 1 810. He had little to do with politics and religion, but was a 
prominent citizen. He was a good surveyor and performed a greater part 
of the first surveying done in the county. He was a builder of some of the 



1" \>i'/n 1-. ("OT'NTV, OHIO. 89 

first houses erected in Washington C. H. He was the first postmaster and 
the first clerk of both the supreme and common pleas courts of Fayette county 
and held these offices until his death, in August, 1835. 

Wade Loofborrow was one of the first citizens and lawyers in the 
county. He came to Fayette in i8io from Pennsylvania and beginning his 
practice continued for a quarter of a century. He was a Democrat. 

Thomas McDonald was one of the first settlers in this part of Ohio, 
built the first cabin in Scioto county, was associated with General Massie and 
others in laying off the county in surveys. He rendered valuable services 
as a scout in Wayne's campaign, was a soldier in the War of 1812, the first 
representative of Fayette county in the Legislature and secured the passage 
of a bill authorizing the construction of a toll bridge over the creek west of 
the county seat in 18 16. 

Dr. Thomas McGara and family emigrated from Pennsylvania in 18 12 
to the new^ town of Washington C. H., in which he was the first physician 
and where he practiced his profession for many years. He served as an 
associate judge and represented the county in the Legislature. 

Hamilton Rogers, Sr., and Benjamin Rogers were pioneers from Ken- 
tucky in 1 810. They entered the woods of Wayne township and set to work 
making improvements. They continued their labors for years and were 
leading farmers. 

William Harper and family were emigrants from Kentucky to Fa\- 
ette county in 1808. His daughter was the first lady married in Wayne 
township. The marriage was in 1810 to Mr. Ellis. Michael Carr, from 
Virginia, settled in Jefferson township at a nearly date and served in the 
War of 1812. Peter Eyeman, of Virginia, became a resident of Fayette in 
the early days of organization. 

Henry Snider, father of William, moved into the county in 1809 and. 
setting stake about four miles south of Washington C. H., on Sugar creek, 
erected for himself and family a habitation and set about the building of a 
water mill, which was among the first in the county. He served as associate 
judge. Peter Snider, a brother, came in 18 10. 

Judge Jacob Jamieson was a settler from Kentucky upon Deer creek in 
1808. He found only a waste of wet lands and timber, but remained. In 
181 1 he came to within one mile of Washington C. H. and bought land. 
He was an associate judge, justice of the peace and collector. 

William Rankin settled on the west fork of Paint creek and put up the 
cabin usual to the pioneer settlement. 



</( FAYETTK COrNTV. OHIO. 

PIONEER LIFE. 

The following" narrative is from the pen of an old pioneer and ilhistrates 
well the life of the times : 

"Immigrants ponred in from different parts. cal)ins were pnt up in 
every direction and women, children and goods tumbled into them. The tide 
nf immigration flowed like water through a breach in the mill dam. Every- 
thing was bustle and confusion and all at work that could work. Tn the 
midst of all this the mumps and perhaps one or two other diseases jjrexailed 
and gave us a seasoning. (3ur cabin had been raised. coNered. part of the 
cracks chinked and part of the floor laid when we moxed in on Christmas 
day. There had not been a stick cut except in building the cabin. We had 
intended an inside chimney, for we tliought the chimney ought to be in the 
house. We had a log put across the whole width of the cabin for a mantle. 
But when the floor \\as in we found it ^o low as not to answer and so we 
removed it. 

Here was a great change for our mother and sister as well as the rest. 
But particularly my mother; she was reared in a most delicate manner, in 
and near London, and lived most of her time in comfort. She was now in 
the wilderness, surrounded by wild beasts, in a cabin with half a door, no 
doors, no ceiling overhead, not e\'en a tolerable sign f(^r a fireplace. The 
light of day and the chilling winds of night passing between e\er\ two logs 
in the building; the cabin so high from the ground that a bear, wolf, panther 
or any other animal less in size than a cow, could enter withe »ut e\ en a 
squeeze. Such was our situation on Thursday and Thursday night. Decem- 
ber 25, 1800, and which was bettered but by very slow degrees. We got the 
rest of the floor laid in a very few days: the chinking of the cracks went on 
slowly, but the daubing could not proceed until weather became more suitable, 
which happened every few days. Doorways were sawed out and ste])s made 
of the logs and the chimney was raised up to the middle, but the funnel of 
sticks and clay was delayed until spring. Our family consisted of my mother, 
a sister of twenty-two, my brother, near twenty-one and verv weaklw and 
myself, in my eleventh year. Two years afterward Black Jenny followed 
us, in company with my half-brother, Richard, and his familv. She lived 
two years with us in Ohio and died in the winter of 1803-4. 

"In building our cabin it was .set to front the north and south, mv 
brother using my father's pocket compass on the occasion. We had no idea 
of living in a house that did not stand square with the earth itself. This 



I'AYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 91 

argued our ignorance of the comforts and conveniences of pioneer life. The 
position of the house end to the hill necessarily elevated the lower end and 
the determination of having a north and south door added much to the airi- 
ness of the domicile, particularly after the green ash puncheons shrunk so 
as to have cracks in the floors and doors from one to two inches wide. At 
both the doors we had high, unsteady and sometimes icy steps, made b}' 
piling up the logs cut out of the wall. We had a window which was the 
largest spot in the top, bottom or side of the cabin at which the wind could 
not enter. It was made by sawing out a log, placing sticks across and then 
by pasting an old newspaper over the hole and applying some hog's lard, we 
had a kind of glazing which shed a most l^eautiful and mellow light across 
the cabin when the sun shone upon it. All other light entered at the door 
cracks and chimney. Our cabin was twenty-four by eighteen. The west 
end w'as occupied by two beds, the center of each side by a door, and here 
our symmetry had to stop, for on the opposite side of the wincUnv. made of 
clapboards, supported on pins driven in the logs, were our shelves. L'i)on 
these shelves my sister displayed in ample order a host of pewter i)lates, 
basins, dishes and spoons, scoured and bright. It was none of the new- 
fangled pewter made of lead, but the best London pewter, on which you 
could hold your meat so as to cut it without slipping and without dulling 
your knife. Rut. alas, the days of pewter plates and sharp dinner knixes 
have passed. 

"To return to our internal arrangements, a ladder of ti\e rounds occu- 
pied the corner near the windows By this, when w^e got a floor aboxe. we 
could ascend. Our chimney occupied most of the east end; pots and kettles 
opposite the window under the shelves : a gun on hooks over the north door, 
five split bottom chairs, three-legged stools and a small eight-by-ten looking 
glass, sloped from the wall over a large towel, and a ])air of tongs made in 
Frederick with one shank straight, as *he best manufacture of jiinchers and 
blood-blisters, completed our furniture, except a spinning-wheel and sucli 
things as were necessary to work. It was absolutely necessary to have three- 
legged stools, as four legs of anything could not all touch the floor at the 
same time. 

"The completion of our cal>in went on slowly. The season was inclem- 
ent : we were weak-handed and weak-pocketed ; in fact, laborers were not 
to be had. We got our chimney up breast high. Our house never was 
daubed on the inside, for my sister, who was very nice, would not consent to 
live right next to the mud. My impression now is, that the windows were 
not constructed till spring, for until the sticks and clay were put on the 



()2 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

chimney we could possibly have no need for a window, for the flood of light 
which always poured into the cabin from the fireplace would have extin- 
guished our paper window and rendered it as useless as the moon at noonday. 
We got a floor laid overhead as soon as possible, perhaps in a month ; but 
when it was laid the reader will readily conceive of its imperviousness to 
wind or weather, when we mention that it was laid of loose clapboards, split 
from a red oak, the stump of which may be seen beyond the cabin. That 
tree grew in the night, and so twisting, that should each board be laid on 
two diagonalh.' oi)posite corners, a cat might have shook every board on our 
ceiling. 

"It may l)e well to inform the unlearned reader that clapboards arc 
such lumber as pioneers s])lit with a frow, and resemble barrel staves before 
they are shaved, but are split U^iger, wider and thinner: of such our roof 
and ceiling were made. Puncheons were plank made by splitting logs to 
about two and a half or three inches in thickness, and hewing them on one or 
both sides with the broad-ax; of such our floors, tables and stools w'ere 
manufactured. The ea\'e-bearers are those end logs which project over to 
receive the butting-poles, against wdiich the lower tier of clap-boards rest in 
forming the roof. The trapping is the roof timbers, composing the gable 
end and the ribs, being those logs upon which the clap-boards rest. The trap- 
logs are those of equal length abo\e tlie eave bearers, which form the gable 
ends, and upon which the ribs rest. The weight poles arc those small logs 
laid on the roof. The knees are pieces of heart timber, placed above the 
l)utting poles successi\elv, to ])re\ent the weight pole^ from rolling oft:'. 

"The evenings of the first winter did not i)ass off as pleasantly as 
evenings afterward. We had raised no tobacco to stem and twist, no corn to 
shell, no turnips to scrape ; we had no tow to spin into rope yarn, nor straw 
to plait for hats, and we had come so late we could get but few walnuts to 
crack. We had, howcAer, the Ihble. George Fox's Journal, Berkeley's 
Apologv and a number of books, all better than much of the fashionable 
reading of todav, from which, after perusing, the reader finds he has gained 
nothing. To our stock of l>ooks was soon afterward added a borrowed copy 
of the Pilgrim's Progress, which we read twnce through without stopping. 
The first winter our living w^as truly scanty and hard ; but even this winter 
had its felicities. We had jxirt of a barrel of flour which we had brought 
from Fredericktown. IJesides this, we had part of a jar of hog's lard brought 
from old Carolina; not the tasteless stufT which now goes by that name, but 
pure leaf lard, taken from hogs raised on pine roots and fattened on sweet 
potatoes and into which, while rendering, were immersed the boughs of the 



b'AYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 93 

Iragraiu bay iree, which <^a\e to the lard a rich tiavor. Of that tiuur, shurl 
ened with tliis lard, my sister, every Sunda\' iiKjrnin^-, and at no other time, 
made short biscuit for breakfast. 

"In the ordering" of a good Providence the winter was open, but windy. 
While the wind was of great use in driving the smoke and ashes out of our 
cabin, it shook terribly the timbers standing" almost over us. We had never 
seen a dangerous looking tree near a dwelling, but here we were surrounded 
by the tall giants of the forest, waving their boughs and uniting" their brows 
o\er us, as if in defiance of our disturbing" their repose and usurping their 
long" and uncontentled pre-emption rights. The beech on the left often shook 
his bushy head over us as if in absolute disapprobation of our settling there, 
threatening to crush us if we did not pack up and start. The walnut o\er 
the spring branch stood high and straight : no one could tell which wav it 
inclined, but all concluded that if it had a preference it was in fa\"or of 
cjuartering on our cabin. We got assistance to cut it down. The axeman 
doubted his ability to control its direction, b}' reason that he must cut it 
almost ofT before it would fall. He thought by felling the tree in the direc- 
tion of the reader, along near the chimney, and thus fa\or the little lean it 
seemed to have, would be the means of saving the cabin. He was successful. 
These, and all other dangerous trees, were got down without .other damage 
than many frights and frequent desertions of the premises bv the family 
while the trees were being cut. Th.e ash beyond the house crossed the scorf 
and fell upon the cabin, but without damage. 

"The monotony of the time for several of the first }ears was broken 
and enlivened by the howl of the wild beasts. The wolves howling" around 
us seen"ied to mourn their inability to drixe us out. The bears, panther and 
deer seemingly got miffed at our approach, or the partiality of the hunters, 
and but seldom troubled us. One bag of meal would make a whole family 
rejoicingl}- hap])\" and thankful then, when a loaded East Indiaman would 
not do it now. \\ hen spring was full}' come, and our little patch of c<irn, 
three acres, put in among the beech roots, which at e\"ery step ccjntended with 
the shovel-plow for the right of soil, and held it, too, we enlarged our stock 
of con\-eniences. As soon as bark would run (peel off) we could make ropes 
and bark boxes. These we stood in great need of, as such things as bureaus, 
stands, wardrobes, or even barrels, were not to be had. The manner of 
making rope of linn bark was to cut the bark into strips of convenient length, 
and water-rot it in the same manner as rotting flax or hemp. When this 
was done the inside bark would peel off and split up so fine as to make a con- 
siderably rough and good-for-but-little rope. Of this, however, we were \ery 



94 FAVKTTK C'OUXTN', OHIO. 

glad. We made t\\(^ kinds of boxes for furniture. One kind was of hickory 
bark with the outside shaved off. This we would take off all around the 
tree, the size of which would determine the calibre of our box. Into one end 
we would place a flat piece or puncheon, cut round to fit into the bark, which 
stood on end the same as when on the tree. There was little need of hooping", 
as the strength of the bark would keep that all right. Its shrinkage would 
make it unsightly in a parlor nowadays, but then they were considered fpiite 
an addition to the furniture. A much finer article was of slippery elm bark, 
shaved smooth, and with the inside out. bent around and sewed together 
where tlie ends of tlie hoop or main bark lapped over. The length of the 
bark was around the box and inside out. A bottom was made of a piece of 
the same bark, dried flat, and a lid like that of a common band box. made in 
the same wav. Tliis was the finest furniture in the ladies' dressing room and 
then, as now. with the finest furniture, the lapped or sewed side was turned to 
the wall and the prettiest part to the specator. They were usually made oval 
and while he bark was green were easily ornamented with drawing of birds, 
trees, etc., agreeable to the taste and skill of the fair manufacturer. As we 
belonged to the Society of Friends it may be ])resumed that our band boxes 
were not thus ornamented. 

"We settled on !)eech land, which took much labor to clear. We could 
do no l)etter than to clear out the smaller stuff, and l)urn the brush, etc.. 
around the beeches, which, in spite of the girdling and burning which we 
could do to them, would leaf out the first year and often a little the second. 
The land, however, was very rich and would bring better corn than might be 
expected. W'^e had to tend it with the hoe: that is. to chop down the nettles, 
the \ ater-w.e !. and I'v,:' ionch-nK-not. (irass. coreless. laml)"s (|uarter and 
Spanish needles were reserved to pester the better prepared farmer. 

"We cleared a small turnip patch, which we got in about the loth of 
August. We sowed in timothy seed, which took well, and the next year we 
had a little hay besides. The tops and blades were also saved for our horse, 
cow and two sheep. The turnips were sweet and good, and in the fall we 
took care to gather walnuts and hickorv nuts, which were abundant. These, 
with the turnips, which we scraped, supplied the place of fruit. I ha\e al- 
w^ays been partial to scraped turnips, and could now lieat anv three dandies 
scraping them. Johnny-cake. also, when we had meal to make it. helped to 
make up our evening's repast. The Sunday morning biscuit had all evap- 
orated, but the loss was partially su]iplied by the turnijis and nuts. Our regu- 
lar supper was mush and milk, and bv the time we had shelled <^ur corn. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OTTIO. 95 

Stemmed tobacco, and plaited straw to make hats, etc., the mush and milk had 
seemingly decamped from the neighborhood of our ribs. To relieve this 
difficulty my brother and I would bake a thin Johnny-cake, part of which we 
would eat, and leave the rest until morning. At daylight we would eat the 
balance as we walked from the house to work. 

"The methods of eating mush and milk were various. Some would sit 
around the pot and everyone take therefrom for himself. Some would set 
a table and each have his tin cup of milk, and with a pewter spoon take just 
as much mush from the dish or pot, if it were on the table, as he thought 
would fill his mouth, then, lowering it into the milk, would take some to wash 
it down. This method kept the milk cool. Others would mix mush and 
milk together. 

"To get grinding done was a great difficulty, by reason of the scarcity 
of mills, the freezes in winter, and drouths in summer. We had often to 
manufacture meal, when we had corn, in any way we could get the corn to 
pieces. We soaked and pounded it; we shaved it; we planed it; and at the 
proper season, we grated it. When one of our neighbors got a hand mill, it 
was thought quite an acquisition to the neighborhood. In after years, when 
in time of freezing or drouth we could get grinding by waiting for our turn 
no more than one day and a night at the horse mill, we thought ourselves 
happy. To save meal, we often made pumpkin bread, in which, when meal 
was scarce, the pumpkin would so predominate as to render it next to im- 
possible to tell our bread from that article, either by taste, looks, or the 
amount of nutriment it contained. Salt was five dollars per bushel, and we 
used none in our corn bread, which we soon liked as well without it. Often 
has the sweat run into my mouth, which tasted as fresh and flat as distilled 
water. What meat we had at first was fresh, and but little of that, for had 
we been hunters we had no time to practice it. 

"We had no candles and cared but little about them, except for summer 
use. In Carolina we had the real fat light wood — not merely pine knots, 
but the fat. straight pine. This, from the brilliancy of our parlor of winter 
evenings, might be supposed to put candles, lamps, etc., to blush. In the 
West we had not this, but my business was to ramble in the woods every 
morning for the seasoned sticks, or the bark of the shelly hickory, for light. 
Tis true that our light was not even so good as candles, but we got along 
without fretting, for we dei)ended more upon the goodness of our eyes than 
we did upon the lirilliancy of the light." 



ijii FAYETTE COUN'l V, OllH) 

EARLY HABITS AND CL'STCIMS. 

In the matter t)f dress and furniture the early pioneer knew ncjthing 
but the strictest sinipHcity. Every l:>it of food, all the dress and furniture 
was manufactured and conceived at the home. The men raised their meager 
crops, hunted the game in the forest, and drew the fish from the streams 
while the women took care of the children, cooked, and spun the rough 
clothes of homespun and linsey-woolsey. Animal skins, roughly cured, 
formed a large part of the dress of the pioneer and the tails of fur-bearing 
animals often served the purpose of my lady's aigrettes today. Moccasins 
formed the chief foot wear, being stufTed with dry leaves or hair in the 
winter time to keep the feet warm. 

Every cabin was fitted with loop-holes, bored at the height of a man's 
head. Block houses were constructed within a settlement and to these the 
inhabitants gathered in time of danger from the Indians. 

In the early day a wedding was the great social e\ent of the vear. It 
was a signal for eveiybody to garb themselves in their l)t\-t and meet, gen- 
erally, at the cabin of the bride. The use of whiske_\- bv the voing men on 
the way to the wedding, even the groom, was not uncommon: in fact, there 
was a sport called the "race for the bottle," when a group of hot-l)l(jods 
would race their ponies through thickets and o\er hills and streams for a 
bottle of rum. The winner got the li([uor, but, of course, he iiad to "treat" 
the rest when he returned. The marriage ceremon\ o\ er, the l)ig feast came. 
All kinds of wild meats, \ egetal)les, etc., loaded the table. Dinner over, 
dancing began, consisting of reels, jigs and scpiare sets. Later in the e\'en- 
ing a crowd of the young girls would assist the bride up the ladder to the 
room above and see tiiat she was put to bed properly. Later a bunch of 
young men took the groom and saw to it that he was placed safelv by the 
side of his wife. Then they were left, but not forgotten, for in the progress 
of the evening's hilarity the bottle, or "Black Bettv," as it was called, was 
passed up to them and they were obliged to partake, b'ood in quantities 
went up the ladder also and it was a serious breach of custom if the ^•oune■ 

o 

couple did not pretend to eat anywa}-. The neighbors who were not inxited 
often stole to the corral where the horses were and clipped their manes, fore- 
tops and tails in spite. 

There was also a custom of "settling" a young married couple. fhe 
first day choppers would prepare the logs and clapboards for a new cabin. 
Puncheons were shaved and sometimes the foundations were laid on the 
evening of the first day. In the morning of the second dav tin- nei<'lilK)rs 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 97 

collected for the raising of the house. Each man was assigned to a certain 
duty and at a signal the work began, often being completed before nightfall. 

Before the young couple were permitted to move into their new home, 
there had to be a house-warming. This was, in other words, an all-night 
dance. On the following day the bride and groom were left to themselves. 

Thefts were uncommon among the settlers. When one did occur the 
culprit was usually whipped and ordered to leave the community. Disputes 
were usually settled by well-refereed fistic contests. Morality was high in 
the early settlements, an offense being punishable by extreme methods in the 
hands of the offended family. Tattling in the early day had a remedy which 
could well be utilized in this day. A tattling woman was given the consent 
to say as much as she pleased, but nobody believed her. She was said to be 
harmless and she grew to be sort of an amusement. 

MILLS AND MILLING. 

Agriculture was the first great labor of the pioneer of Fayette county. 
Hand in hand with this pursuit came the mills. Crude they were at first, 
but they served their purpose. The block and pestle was the first contrivance 
for the grinding of the grain. A block of hard wood was selected and, by 
means of boring, hacking and burning, a depression was made in the block 
having a capacity of about a pint. A rough pestle was made to fit into this 
cavity and was worked by hand. The stone mill was the next step. 

The first corn-cracker in the county was built by Jacob Coile in 1809 on 
Sugar creek, in Union township. The Yeargon horse mill was constructed a 
little later and perhaps the second corn-cracker in the county was put up by 
Isaiah Pancoast on Deer creek in 1810, about a mile from Waterloo, close to 
the county line between Fayette and Pickaway. It was made of solid bould- 
ers with a hole drilled through. This primitive machine was sul>sequentlv 
converted into a mill for grinding wheat, then into a fulling mill, next into a 
w'oolen factory and later into a flouring mill. 

This unique structure consisted of an upright beam, or shaft, running 
on pivots at both ends; passing through this, below at right angles, w^as an- 
other shaft, about twenty feet long, at the end of which was attached a team 
of horses, wdio walked in a circle as in our modern horse powers. At the 
top of the upright shaft was attached a large wdieel, which communicated its 
motion by means of a rawhide l^elt to another wheel, which in turn worked 
in a cog-wheel attached to the stones. 

(7) 



98 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

These burrs, or stones, were generally made out of the native boulders 
with holes drilled through them, roughly dressed, and running upon each 
other, which ground the corn very coarse and left it with all the refuse ma- 
terials accompanying it, which were removed by means of a sieve, made by 
taking the green hide of a deer, removing the hair, stretching it tightly over 
a hoop and piercing it full of holes. 

Bolting was done by hand, or rather the apparatus, which was a cloth 
cylinder, turned with a crank, which it was expected the man or boy bringing 
the grist to operate. 

Before these mills were constructed, Springfield, Clifton and Chilli- 
cothe were localities to which the settlers carried their grain to be ground. 
Several neighbors would go together to make a full load, taking provisions 
and forage, and make the journey in about ten days. Horse mills were soon 
established at different points and hand mills were built. The hominy block 
was another invention of the times; it was made by burning a hole in the end 
of a block of wood. They pounded the corn in these mortars with a pestle. 
The mills of early days ground very slowly. The settler went to mill very 
early and remained late to get his sack of meal. The flour made in the 
horse mills was like the brown, unbolted flour of the present. Thomas 
Moon, Sr,, erected the first flour and saw mill and the first distillery in the 
county during the year 1810, upon a good site ten miles south of Washing- 
ton C. H. 

A third mill was built during the War of 18 12 by Asa Davis, on main 
Paint, two miles south of the county seat. A Mr. McDonald built a water 
mill two miles north of the town in 1850 and later sold to Mr. Stafford. An 
effort was made to establish a mill on main Paint, ten miles northwest of 
town by Solomon Salmon; but the dam, being established on a bed of quick- 
sand, continually broke away and prevented success. Still another water 
mill was erected in Washington C. H. by Jesse Millikan. The saw mill was 
in operation in 181 7 and a year later a grist mill was operating. Millikan 
died in 1836 and in about 1840 his son, Curren, applied steam power. A 
water mill was built on Sugar creek, four miles south of town, with which a 
distillery was connected. The mill was erected in 1820 by Adam Caylor. 
There was also a horse mill erected by Mr. Dughan, three miles northwest of 
Washington C. H., near Big run, prior to 1814. All of these mills were 
soon superseded by steam and water power. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



TAVERNS. 



99 



The granting of licenses for keeping tavern was in accordance with a 
territorial law passed by the first General Assembly of the Northwest terri- 
tory, and approved December 6, 1800. By this law no person was permitted 
to keep any tavern or public house of entertainment in any town, county or 
place within the limits of the territory, unless first recommended by twelve 
respectable freeholders of the county in which such house was to be kept. 
All persons, except tavern or inn keepers, were forbidden under severe 
penalties to sell liquor in small quantities. 

The taverns of those days w^ere very small, but very hospitable. One 
room often served as sleeping quarters for all of the guests and the landlord 
■and family, also the domestic animals of the place. 

In the beginning of the year 1817, on motion of the common pleas 
court, William Vaughan was granted a license to keep tavern at his house 
in Madison township, one year, on complying with the law. 

It is said that the first tavern in Fayette county was kept in 18 10 by 
AVilliam Harrison, on the then Parin lot, north of the court house, in an old 
cabin. Another was kept on the Vandeman corner by John Torbin, in 1810 
•or 1812; Norman Jones, 181 1 and 1812; Evans and sons on Court and 
Fayette streets about 18 16. 

On December 18. 181 7, John Evans and Nicholas Neely received licenses 
to keep taverns in Washington C. H. In the following April, William 
Rankin was allowed the same privilege at his residence in Paint township. 
Also Joseph Parrott and Matthew Gillespie in the same township, and in 
September, San ford Corder. John Evans and Aaron Johnson started the 
same business in Union township. Immediately following this Aaron lohn- 
son was arrested for gambling, but plead not guilty. 

As travel increased and improvements advanced, these unique places of 
-entertainment disappeared and with them a great deal of the old-fashioned 
liospitality. 

CORN HUSKINGS. 

The festivity of corn husking was one of the most popular in pioneer 
times. The whole assembly went into the fields and jerked the corn off the 
stalks, throwing it into a pile until dinner. In the afternoon it was hauled 
in. When the crop was all gathered preparations were made for a night's 
Iiusking. The neighbors for miles around were invited in. Two captains 



lOO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

were chosen, who each selected an ec[ual number of assistants. The pile was 
then divided equally, Iw placing a pole in the center. When all was ready 
"Black Betty"" was passed around to get the proper spirit and work began 
in good earnest, the object being to see who could husk out on his side of 
the dividing line first. After many whiffs at the lir|Uor the victorious party 
placed the bottle in the hands of the captain, and two stout men would seize 
him. one by each leg and, amid the shouts of "hoist the captain."' lift him up 
and carry him over to the other party and, with swinging of hats and yells 
of victory, parade him along the lines of the van(|uished buskers. Then 
"Old Betty"" was again passed from mouth to mouth until all felt gloriously 
happy. 

HUNTING. 

In the early times the rifle was found in every household, in the use of 
which our forefathers were very familiar and were very careful in keeping 
it in good working condition. Those who could afford it kept two rifles, 
one for large game, carrying bullets about fort}' to the pound, and a smaller, 
or s(iuirrel rifle, running over one hundred and twenty to the pound. The 
powder flask was made from the horn of an ox, boiled and scraped so thin as 
to transmit the rays of light ; a round block of wood fitted in the bottom and 
a plug was inserted in the smaller end, with usually a buzzard"s c|uill for a 
charger. 

The territory watered by Deer, Paint, Rattlesnake, Sugar and Compton 
creeks, now embraced in the limits of this county, when first settled aljounded 
in all kinds of game and had been for many years the favorite hunting 
grounds of the Indians, and long after the white man"s cabin \\as erected they 
built their camps and followed the old trails o\-er the white man's fences, and 
through his tilled fields they stuck the trace in the woodlands. 

There was an old Indian fort un the banks of Sugar creek, where the 
red men would stop on their route from Fort Clark to Oldtown. Captain 
Burnett, a Virginian and settler of 1810. said that parties of them, during 
their vearly hunt, were in the habit of camping and resting awhile at the 
old site years after the white man came in. 

Among the first hunters of note in this county was Jacob Alloway. 
whose territory lav along the valleys of Paint and Compton creeks. Daniel 
Grubs, moving from Virginia to Kentucky, came thence to Fayette and dwelt 
on rilaze"s run. The trees around bore marks for years of his presence. 
Edmond Blearage, John Arnold, George and Samuel Viniger. James Stewart. 
John Hase. David Baldwin, John Gest, and H. H. Harmer, were all men 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. lOI 

who made a specialty of hunting and were noted marksmen. George Rupert 
claimed to have shot in one season one hundred and twenty deer, two bears, 
wolves, and many of other game. George Roughner, a hater of Indians, 
and a Virginian by birth, arrived in the Scioto valley in 1789. His father, 
wdiile serving under Dunmore in 1774 as a spy, w^as killed by the Indians, 
so Roughner's revenge extended to every exposed Indian. His hunting 
grounds were on the Paint and Rattlesnake and he often met, at Cedar Pond 
and Cliffs, the hunters from the Hocking and Kentucky. Finally, as a 
volunteer under General Cass, he was slain by the Indians in 181 3. 

The Nimrod of old-time hunters w^as Frederick Berly. The forest was 
his natural home. He loved solitude and lived a hermit. A camp fre- 
quently used by him was on Sugar creek. From his record, it appears that 
he had slain sixty bears, ninety-six panthers, one hundred and six wolves, one 
thousand elk and deer, eleven buffaloes and ninety-six Indians. His comrades 
in the chase were Boone, Kenton, Wetzel and others famous in history. At 
the age of one hundred and one, he died in his cabin on the banks of the 
Mohican, where a monument was erected to his memory. 

William Robinson, Fayette county's first settler, was surrounded by a 
multitude of game and in 1802 killed fifteen bears, three catamounts, fifteen 
elk and one hundred deer. He was, on one occasion, hunting upon the head- 
waters of the Rattlesnake, when a light noise behind him caught his ear. 
Wheeling, he saw at a little distance an enormous panther following his 
trail. It was the work of a moment to leap behind a large oak at hand, pick 
his flint and cock his rifle. A failure to inflict a mortal wound was a prelude 
to a terrible struggle and carefully the barrel of the gun was leveled as the 
beast came near. He fired and as the ball struck the center of its head, the 
panther fell lifeless to the ground. Its length was eleven feet and its height 
thirty inches. 

The number of deer slain in this county in the early days seems incredible. 
In the winter of 181 5-1 6 there fell a snow of sixteen inches, follow^ed by rain 
which froze and formed a crust. On this the boys and dogs could travel, but 
which broke through beneath the deer. Every one turned deer hunter and 
venison was sold in Washington C. H. at six cents a saddle, or two saddles 
for a pound of lead or quarter pound of powder. 

Wild turkeys abounded in the county till 1830. Their meat w^as whole- 
some and preferred to bear or deer. Some weighed twenty pounds. Wolves 
were dangerous only when famishing. They had here abundant food and 
were never known to make an attack. The last wolf was killed in 1848 on 
the waters of Sugar creek by Daniel Carmaen. Hogs ran at large and multi- 



I02 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

plied rapidly. Hordes of them infested the woods. They had long tushes, 
long and sharp head and nose and when aroused to anger were more to be 
dreaded than any beast of the forest. They were swift of foot and ran like 
hounds. Their favorite resorts were on the banks of Sugar creek, where 
their nests were made in the jungles. Snakes were numerous. Of these 
were rattlesnakes, black snakes, the garter, the spotted or "cabin" snake and 
the copperheads. 

EARLY MAILS. 

Postal facilities were not so good in the early days, chiefly because of 
the difficulty in transmitting the letters. The stamped enyelope had not been 
inyented. The letter page was simply folded together securely and the ad- 
dress written upon the back. Red sealing wax answered the purpose of 
mucilage. In order to send this letter anywhere it was necessary to pay the 
sum of twenty-fiye cents. Once eyery two weeks the blowing of a tin horn 
announced the arrival of a dilapidated horse and rider, with a small mail- 
bag containing the semi-monthly news. 

PIGEON ROOSTS. 

Beginning at the mouth of Sugar creek and extending down both banks 
of Paint creek, about one and one-half miles, was a dense grove of cedar 
trees, known throughout the county as the "Cedar Hole." At these roosts 
the pigeons congregated to breed and in some cases a single tree would hold 
one hundred nests. The noise at night caused by the continual fluttering of 
birds and cracking of overloaded branches could be heard quite a distance 
and each morning, it is said, the ground was strewn with dead and wounded 
birds, so that the pioneers in the vicinity were bountifully supplied. Samuel, 
John and Frank Waddle. Henry Snyder, William Blair and sons, Frank 
McLaughlin, Jack Daugherty and all the neighbors for miles around visited 
the spot at night, arriving about sunset as the pigeons began to come in. It is 
said that the noise created by their arrival was almost equal to the roar of 
a cataract, continuing for two or three hours, until they became so far settled 
down as the breaking limbs would permit, when they knocked them off the 
trees, wrung off their heads and turned them over to the housewife, who 
cooked them in many styles. 

SICKNESS. 

In aljout the year 1817 a mill was built on the later site of the IMilliken 
mill and a high dam erected, which, during the wet season of the year, backed 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. IO3 

the water up and overtlowed the adjacent lands, and when the rains ceased 
and the waters dried up, produced great miasma and consequent sickness. In 
time this grew to an alarming extent and threatened the depopulation of the 
town. Doctors Hilton and McGara were confident that the cause arose from 
the stagnant waters of the dam and the proprietors were requested to take it 
down during the season of low water, from June until September, which 
was accordingly done in about 1825 and the sickness almost wholly disap- 
peared. It was taken down every year till about 1837, when, through care- 
lessness, it remained up a year or two, and again the fever and ague mani- 
fested themselves. The loss of many valuable citizens, among whom was the 
owner of the mill, Jesse Milliken, rendered prompt action necessary, so the 
administrator, Curren Milliken, was requested to remove it, but refused ; 
upon which action a number of citizens, among them Z. W. Heagler, Daniel 
McLain. John C. Eastman, Arthur McArthur, L. D. Willard, David McLain 
and Peter Wendell, proceeded to the spot with the necessary tools and de- 
termined to remove the dam. They were met by the owner, at the head of 
an equal number, equally as determined that it should remain. The forces 
met in the center and in the struggle L. D. Willard slid down the slippery 
bank into the mud and was nearly drowned. Curren Milliken finally pro- 
posed to take it down if the other party would leave, to which they responded 
that they came to tear it down and it should be done. After considerable 
parleying and high words, Milliken agreed to take it away if they would 
desist, which being complied with, the central portion was removed and the 
parties withdrew. 

Milliken immediately went before the grand jury and had them all 
indicted for riot. Whereupon the "criminals" brought an action against 
Milliken for keeping a public nuisance. The case was decided in their favor 
and the court decreed that the dam should be completely destroyed. Subse- 
quently a race was constructed and a dam built farther north from the town. 

One of the greatest scourges to the early settlers of Fayette county was 
a disease known as milk-sick or trembles, which not only affected cattle, 
sheep, hogs, horses and dogs, but the human family as well. Human beings 
and stock would often be infected with the disease without any symptoms 
manifested until brought into activity by certain conditions, when it would 
suddenly develop itself with rapid and fatal effects. Stock driven until heated 
would become sick of the disease if it had fastened upon them. Persons, 
therefore, who wished to purchase stock, either for trade, service or butcher- 
ing, took means to heat them up previously. According to the symptoms it 
was given various names, such as sick stomach, swamp sickness, fires, slows, 
stiff joints, puking fever, river sickness, etc. Vomiting, purging, extreme 



I04 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

nervous agitation, constipation, low temperature of body, dry tongue and 
skin, were some of the symptoms. Many theories were advanced as to its 
origin. Some claimed that it was caused by lead held in solution by water ; 
some, that it was a weed, while others contended that it was a malarial epi- 
demic. Among the first remembered cases of death was that of a Mr. Daw- 
son, who died in 1816. His wife had been sick with it and finally died. 
After this Mr. Dawson prepared to return to his home in Virginia and on his 
way stopped at Harrison's tavern in Washington C. H., where he sickened 
and died. As late as 1879 a case of death from this malady was reported. 

INCIDENTS. 

The early history of Fayette county is full of incidents of daring and 
endurance. Edward Smith, Sr., entered lands on the banks of Paint creek, 
known as the East fork, in the year 1810. He found his entrv covered with 
trees. A wigwam served as shelter by night. He made the accustomed 
opening for a borderer, clearing up enough land for the starting of a crop. 
The news of war declared caused him to lay aside tlie axe and take up his 
rifle. Peace came and he returned to his home. One night, returning from 
the county seat, he found the creek very high, but rode in fearlessly, was 
thrown from his horse and drowned. 

Thomas Moon, Sr., arrived in Green township, Fayette county, in 1810, 
from Virginia. He was accompanied 1:)y his family of nine children and 
settled on Rattlesnake creek, upon the dividing ridge. Finding a fine mill 
site, he erected there the first grist mill, saw mill and distillery in the county. 
Lsaiah Pancoast, from Pennsylvania, removed to Fayette in 18 10 and settled 
on the west bank of Deer creek. He built a large log house, which had all 
rooms in one. Opposite the house on the other bank of the stream was a 
camp of Indians. The squaws often came over with venison to exchange for 
meal. The Indians, having killed deer, threw the carcasses into the stream 
above their camp and the watchful squaws pulled them out when they had 
floated down. Pancoast passed the first season in a shelter made of wagon 
covers stretched on poles, while he gave his chief attention to the planting 
and raising of seven acres of corn. The daily fare was corn meal and game 
from the woods. Wolves ran in large bands and the sheep had to be penned 
at night for safety. Trading was done at Chillicothe. At this time there 
were no settlements between Waterloo and Washington. The Indians moved 
and left a pig l)ehind. The animal came to Pancoast, who penned it and in 
time it grew into a large porker. One day an Indian of the party called at 
the house, was shown the pig, and told to do as he pleased with it. He killed 
and dressed it, cut it in halves, and left one to Pancoast. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. IO5 

A HERMIT. 

Wild and lonely as were the forest wilds, distant and inaccessible as 
were the various improvements, yet here, in the solemn silence of the wilder- 
ness upon the west bank of Compton creek, dwelt a bold and fearless hunter. 
In 1803 he came hither and built himself a cabin. He lined the interior 
with skins of elk, bear and deer and made his garments from dressed deer- 
skins. He owned many horses and cattle and when crowded by settlers and 
stinted in game went westward for more room. He had seen service in Dun- 
more's campaign, had served in 1776, and, according to rumor, was killed in 
the Black Hawk war of 1832. This hermit's name was Nathan Hathaway. 

DISTILLERIES. 

In the early days it was thought that liquor was indispensable upon public 
occasions of any kind or any social gathering. Liquor was thought to be 
pure and harmless. The still of Solomon Sowards, started in 1824, eight 
miles northwest from the county seat, seemed a great convenience to the 
settlers. The customer brought his corn, had it ground, and exchanged the 
meal for whiskey, or had his owm meal stilled in the copper still, on shares. 
On the occasion of an election for representative in 1823 parties were sent to 
Caylor's distillery for a barrel of whiskey, which was opened for general use 
in Washington C. H. ; tin cups were filled and emptied and by night there was 
a general drunk. Such scenes were not uncommon. In almost every settle- 
ment these copper stills were found, and corn, rye and peaches supplied ma- 
terial for strong drink. The last still was erected in 1855, in Washington 
C. H., on the later side of the woolen mill. The last copper still had been 
in operation for a number of years on the farm of Joseph Orr, and was finally 
sold as junk to J. W. Pleagler, then a dealer in hardware and later recorder. 
Heagler sent it to Columbus in 1849 ^"^1 so ended the manufacture of whisky 
in Fayette. 

In those early days whiskey was sold as they hand letters from a post- 
ofifice. The bar was closed except a pigeon-hole, through which the customer 
received his stimulant. One would step to the hole and ask for a gill, half- 
pint or pint, these amounts being held by bottles behind the bar. The bottle 
was handed through and with a pitcher of water and glasses the liquor Avas 
consumed, the bottle returned, refilled, and readv for another. A eill cost 
six cents and a half-pint a shilling. 



CHAPTEU V. 



COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 



Counties, like states and nations, have a form of government peculiar 
to themselves. Counties have rights that the state does not presume to in- 
trude upon; states have rights that the Constitution of the republic does not 
interfere with, providing such supposed rights, or legal enactments, do not 
conflict with the rights of other commonwealths. The voters of a county are 
supposed to dictate the policy of their section, under certain general forms 
and restrictions of the state, and thus it is up to the people of a county tO' 
govern themselves in a local sense. Some counties in our state have had 
excellent systems, others have been questionable. Fayette county has been as 
progressive, with the changes of time, as any county in the state. Her sys- 
tem of keeping accounts has varied with the decades, but at present is provided 
with a safe and correct method of bookkeeping. For the most part, the peo- 
ple have elected good men to official positions, and when another type have 
occasionally gotten into county office, they have been discarded as soon as 
possible. 

It will be the aim in this chapter to record some of the most important 
transactions in governmental affairs, such as the acts of the board of county 
commissioners, the various institutions, care for the poor, the building of 
court houses, jails, highways, etc. There will also be appended a list of 
county and state officials, showing who have been at the head of different 
departments here during the last century. It will be seen by the chapter on 
"Organization" how the machinery of county government was first set in 
motion and by what persons it was managed. 

Unfortunately, the first court house, with most of the records of the 
county for its first eighteen years, were totally destroyed by fire in 1828, 
hence much concerning the first acts of the first set of county official has 
forever been lost, save what is presented by tradition. 

ROBBERIES. 

The county has been unfortunate in having had three treasury robberies^ 
one under J. S. Bereman, treasurer, at an early day, when fi\e thousand dol- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 10/ 

lars was stolen by safe-breakers; a second entry of the county safe was under 
Treasurer Robert Stewart, when about the same amount was taken and never 
recovered. Again, under Treasurer A. E. Silcott, in February, 1864, -the safe 
was entered by a false key and four thousand seven hundred and forty-three 
dollars stolen and this was never recovered. At the last robbery, it was dis- 
covered that in his hurry to get away the burglar left his false key in the lock 
of the safe, and it was shown by other circumstances that the robbery had 
probably been committed by parties connected with the former robbery, who 
had evidently preserved and used the same key to enter the safe with. Then 
the county authorities secured a modern combination lock, since which time 
there has been no money unlawfully taken from the safe of the treasurer. 

EARLY COUNTY BILLS. 

The county fathers nearly a hundred years ago were not spendthrifts, 
but cut bills where they could, and w^re satisfied with simply what was abso- 
lutely necessary to carry on the county government. As examples, the fol- 
lowing is Cjuoted from the records of James Henton, as published in the 
Herald of May, 1834, which runs as follows: 

Among the listed contingent items was that of Samuel Lydy, who was 
paid ninety-nine dollars for "publishing list of forfeited lands, expenditures, 
and notices, in 1833," and he was also paid fifty-seven dollars "for publishing 
delinquent lands in 1833, and notice to school clerks." Three dollars and 
sixty cents were paid for pasteboard, chair, etc., for use in the auditor's 
ofifice. It will be seen that the amount of stationery and furniture required 
in the county offices then was not in excess of what it should have been. 

The account of Treasurer Benjamin Henton shows the total receipts for 
that vear to have been $8,845.19, including a balance on hand at the previous 
June settlement, which w^as $1,368.72. The total disbursements for that 
year were $6,983.88, leaving a balance in the treasury of $1,861.30. Among 
the receipts was the item of $50 for tavern licenses in the county for 1833, 
and also $215 for horse hire. Jesse Millikan was clerk of the courts then 
and also served as postmaster in Washington, C. H. 

THE FIRST COURT HOUSE. 

Valentine, or "Felty," Coil, while but two years old, was captured by the 
Indians and taken to Canada. Coming to this county in its infancy, he found 
use for his knowledge in making brick for the first court house and first brick 



I08 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

building in the county. Early in 1813 excavations were made on the site 
of the present court house and the clay taken out was burned into brick by 
Coil and used in the building, which was completed and occupied as early as 
March, 1814. The windows were composed of twenty-four lights, each ten 
by twelve inches. The cupola was similar to that of the second court house, 
although without a base. The location of the building was about twenty feet 
west of the alley and twenty feet back from Court street. While it seems 
that that building was in the main finished and occupied in 1814, yet it is 
stated that two men by the names of Life and Burnett finished the cupola in 
1 81 5. It cannot be ascertained who built the house, but it is known that 
Jacob Kelley and Silas Young, in addition to "Felty" Coil, were brick makers 
and brick layers and resided in Washington at that time. In about the year 
1828 this building burned down, involving the loss of nearly all the county 
records. Court was then removed to a little brick office, occupied by Judge 
Wade Loofborrow. situated in the rear of the present office of Doctor Sauls- 
berry in the Brownell grocery building. From here it was next removed to a 
house later owned by Mrs. R. A. Robison, Jr., where it was held until a new 
court house was built. 

THE SECOND COURT HOUSE. 

On the first day of February, 1828, the board of commissioners, then 
consisting of Jacob Jamison, Thomas Burnett and Matthew Jones, met for 
the purpose of entering into negotiations for the erection of a new court 
house. Together with other citizens, the brick walls of the old building, yet 
remaining, were examined and, after consulting mechanics and masons, the 
board decided that they were not worth repairing. On the following day 
the board agreed to build a new court house with fireproof offices attacned 
for the clerk of the court, recorder and auditor. The clerk of the board, 
Norman Jones, was instructed to draft a plan for the new building and the 
auditor was ordered to give notice that the commissioners would meet on 
the 5th day of March, following, to receive bids. The auditor was also 
authorized to sell the brick in the old walls to the highest bidder. 

On February 23d the board met to select a location for the new house, 
which resulted in their choosing the southeast corner of the public sc[uare, the 
main building and offices fronting on Court and Main streets. It was ordered 
that a draft be made of the contemplated structure, the main building to be 
forty feet square, with a wing thirty feet long and fourteen feet wide at- 
tached, facing each street. On the day appointed, March 5th, the board met 




Wrom 'HiBt. C»ll. of Ohio." Copyright, 1RS8. by Henry Howe. 

STOCK SALE, COURT STREET, WASHINGTON C H., 1888. 




FAYETTE COUNTY COURT HOUSE AND JAIL. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. IO9 

to receive the bids and award the contract. Thomas Langhead, of Ross 
county, was the successful bidder, with a bid of one thousand three hundred 
eighty dollars and ninety cents. The carpenter work went to John Harbi- 
son, of Greene county, for one thousand three hundred seventy-two dollars 
and forty cents. On March 4, 1829, one year after the awarding of the 
above contracts, the house was ready for the inside work, the contract for 
which was awarded to John Harbison for six hundred eighty-nine dollars 
and sixty-seven cents. 

The floor of the lower story was laid of white or burr oak, one and a 
half inches thick and seven inches wide. The upper was of yellow poplar. A 
washboard of good seasoned walnut, one and a quarter inches thick and 
eight inches wide, surrounded the floor of the lower story. The hre-places 
were of brick, with hearth of same. A handsome chair-board of walnut 
extended around the lower wall. In the smallest office, on Court street, there 
"were three plain fire boards in the lower floor. 

The contract for the plastering was given to Silas Young for three hun- 
dred and twenty-nine dollars and on December 8th, the same year, the work 
was completed, examined by the commissioners and accepted. On April 10, 
1830, the inside work was examined and accepted by the board and the bal- 
ance paid. This was the date of the finishing of the court house, although 
it had been used pre^'iously. On June 9, 1836, Daniel McLean w^as ordered 
to purchase a bell for the court house, at any sum not to exceed one hundred 
dollars. At different times afterward repairs w^ere made on the building 
and improvements added. 

In 1844 a county auditor's office, also a treasurer's, were built on the 
Court street side. William Harfor was the contractor. Extensive repairs 
were made in 1846, consisting of girders, flooring, plastering, and painting 
of the outside in Venetian red. In 1848 an addition was made on the north- 
west side also, twelve by thirty feet in size. 

THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE. 

The first mention made of attempting to prepare for the erection of the 
present magnificent temple of justice for Fayette county w^as an item found 
in the Herald, dated March, 1881. which spoke of the county commissioners 
having decided to put it to a vote of the people of the county, at an election 
to be held April 4th, that year. The propositions up were: "Shall we build 
a court house by tax, and shall we build a jail by tax?'' The county board 
then consisted of Joshua Mahan, R. S. Sutherland and \V. J. Horney. 



no FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

The records show that a contract was awarded, August 3, 1882, to J. 
North Bros. & Lichtenberger, under architects D. W. Gibbs & Company, of 
Toledo, Ohio, to construct a court house, the same being the present sub- 
stantial and beautiful temple of justice. The contract price was originally 
eighty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars, and the structure was to 
be completed by September i, 1884. To this were added changes and in- 
ternal improvements, fixtures and furniture, etc., totalling about one hun- 
dred and forty thousand dollars for the property, as it now stands. It is its 
own best monument and record, for doubtless unborn generations will yet use 
it to transact the business of Fayette county in. When erected, thirty-one 
years ago. it was looked upon as among the finest, modern court houses in 
Ohio. Age has told somewhat on it, yet it is in good condition today. Re- 
cently, it has had its outer walls thoroughly cleaned, making the stone work 
look as good as new. A town clock adorns and makes useful its splendid 
tower. It is a high three-story structure. A hot-water heating plant was 
contracted for in 1903, and cost one thousand five hundred dollars; at the 
same date another contractor placed in the jail a similar one, costing two 
hundred and ninety-five dollars. 

COUNTY JAIL.S. 

It is recorded that an old dry well served as the first jail in Fayette 
county. 

The first jail built at Washington C. H. was located near the present one, 
about sixty feet from Main street and about thirty feet southeast of the alley 
running along the northwest side of the old public square. The jail con- 
sisted of two square pens, one inside the other, the intervening space of per- 
haps one foot between the walls being filled in with stone, the outer wall being 
about twenty-four feet square. It was built of hewed logs, was two stories 
high, and was erected about 181 1 or 1812. At the east corner a door opened 
into a hallway six feet wide that extended along the northeast side of the 
building to the north corner. About five or six feet from the entrance to this 
hall a stairway led to the "debtor's room" above. The room below was 
about twelve by eighteen feet and was called the criminal cell, or dungeon. 
This jail was burned in 1823 by an incendiary, and the sheriff's dwelling, a 
small frame structure contiguous to the jail, was also destroyed at the same 
time, with all the household goods of Sheriff Robinson, save a deer-hide 
trunk, containing some of the clothing belonging to his deceased wife. 

In 1825 a new jail was built on the same square, a little nearer the alley 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Ill 

and also closer to Main street. This was a two-story brick building, twenty- 
five feet square, and was arranged inside similar to the old log jail. The 
walls of this jail were only thirteen inches thick and several prisoners escaped 
while it was in use. On December 9, 1835, the auditor was ordered to offer 
the old jail for sale on the 15th of the following June, except such material 
as the board might reserve. 

On January 15, 1836, at a meeting of the board, it was decided that, for 
lack of funds, the old jail should be repaired instead of building a new one. 
New walls of bricks were to be built, the same height as the old ones, also one 
dungeon and one prison room, and the whole building to undergo repairs, 
the contract for which was let to Benjamin A. Crone for three hundred and 
fifty dollars. On the 27th of the following August the work was reported 
completed. 

This jail was used until September 16, 1839, when public notice was 
given that a new jail was to be constructed, located on the public square, 
forty-four feet front, thirty-five feet back, and two stories high, with all the 
necessary cells and other fixtures for the confinement and accommodation of 
prisoners, all of which work was to be 'done by Edward Lamme for forty- 
seven hundred dollars, who entered into bond for the faithful performance of 
the same. After the walls were up the carpenter work was begun by Benja- 
min A. Crone, who was to complete the same for one thousand dollars. On 
August 25, 1841, the commissioners accepted the jail, after a careful examina- 
tion of the work. 

The present jail and sheriff's residence was erected by the same con- 
tractors who constructed the present court house. It was built in 1882-3, at 
a cost of twenty thousand dollars for the structure, to which were added in- 
terior expenses from time to time. It is an excellent building, standing on the 
corner of the public square, near the court house. 

PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 

On the corner of the court house square is situated a handsome public 
drinking fountain, constructed of gray granite at much expense. It was 
placed there, handy to the passer-by, in 1896, by Mrs. Morris Sharp. It 
bears the inscription upon its large square metal tablet, facing the court house, 
the words : "Presented to the City of Washington Court House and Fay- 
ette County, by Madeline Baker Sharp, in Memory of Her Husband, Morris 
Sharp, who Died February 11, 1905. Erected 1906." 

Tens of thousands of passers-by have already slaked their thirst from 



J 12 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the waters of this artistic fonntain. and it will doubtless stand many years as 
a perpetual reminder of, and as a truly befitting memorial to, one of the 
honored sons of Fayette county. 

AJr. Sharp, for whom this was erected as a memorial, was a prominent 
business man and a banker. 

THE FIRST COUNTY '"SAFE."" 

Odd as it may seem to the reader of today, when time locks and fire- 
proof, burglar-proof safes are found in every county in the country, at the 
time when County Treasurer Heagler took the office in 1838, the county safe 
consisted of a tin box, six inches in depth, by four inches wide and a foot 
long. It was fastened with a tin clasp and brass pad-lock. This "safe" held 
the i)aper money, while the coin, amounting to about two hundred dollars, was 
placed in a shot bag. The "office"' consisted of a mere room. The official 
papers were kept in a sealed half-bushel measure. The books were three in 
number and had thin paste-board covers. The room had no desk, table or 
stationerv. In fact, the treasurer did his county business largely at his private 
residence. He recei\'ed four hundred and fifty dollars per year salary. 

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTY INFIRMARY. 

The early residents of this state were in the habit of providing for the 
wants of the poor and destitute in the following manner. When application 
for the keeping of a person in poor circumstances was made to the township 
trustees, they bound him for a certain term to the lowest bidder, who was 
required to give l>ond for the faithful discharge of his duty, feeding, clothing 
and properly caring for his charge. Thus were the poor well cared for in 
the early days. 

Later an act was passed by the Legislature of Ohio, providing for the 
"establishment of county poor houses." Any county having within her limits 
a sufficient number of paupers was empowered to purchase grounds and erect 
suital)le buildings thereon, to which all the infirm and needy were to be ad- 
mitted. For the period of nearly fifty years after its organization Fayette 
county had no public institution in which she could care for her infirm, but 
provided for them through her township trustees. In about 1850 philan- 
thropic citizens agitated the erection of buildings for this purpose and in 
1 8^3 the board of county commissioners were induced to take the matter 
under advisement. On June 7, 1853, they resolved to erect an institution of 



^^^ 



^•■- 





P 
O 

a 

H 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. II3 

this character and purchase a tract of land for the same. On the same day 
Hopkins Shivers, in consideration of three thousand live hundred eighty- 
seven dollars and fifty cents, deeded to Jacob A. Rankin, Robert Eyre and 
Micajah Draper, commissioners, for the purpose of a poor house, a tract of 
land. It is not certain whether steps were immediately taken to construct 
buildings on the deeded land. On Christmas day, 1854, the board examined 
the woodwork of the building being erected and were satisfied. On May 16, 
1855, the plastering was looked over in the same manner. A report for the 
year ending June i, 1855, showed the institution in operation, with seven 
inmates. 

THE FAYETTE COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME. 

This institution was founded, under the laws of Ohio, in June, 1885, on 
a hundred-acre tract of land bequeathed by Peter Carder. The administra- 
tion building was completed in October, 1886. In 1900 thirty-four acres 
more land were added, and the donation of ten thousand dollars by a wealthy 
farmer named Jesse Johnson, from the east part of the county, materially 
aided in making the excellent improvements there found today. This dona- 
tion was provided for in Mr. Johnson's will in 1896. Fifty-three acres were 
then added, making a total of one hundred and eighty acres in the place. It 
is all valuable land. 

CARDER INFIRMARY. 

Peter Carder, an old resident of this county and owner of an immense 
old estate, upon being informed of the necessity of a new poor farm, con- 
ceived the idea of donating a portion of his estate to the county for infirmary 
purposes. In the year 1863, shortly before his death, he bequeathed to the 
county five hundred and seven acres of his estate, as a home for the poor. 
After his death, his widow objected to the provisions of the will, and several 
years passed before the matter was compromised. The county, in 1867, by 
its agents, William Clark, William Jones and Allen Heagler, began the erec- 
tion of the new building. The foundations were laid in the summer of the 
same year and by 1869, the work was fully completed. On July 7, ic559, the 
inmates of the old building, forty-seven in number, were admitted to the new 
infirmary. This institution was located on the Columbus pike, two miles 
northeast from Washington C. H. It is a four-storied structure, including 
basement and attic, and contains many modern conveniences. The govern- 
ment of the institution is vested in a board of directors and a superintendent 
appointed by them. 
(8) 



114 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

The last report of the condition of the county inlirmary, made by the 
auditor of Fayette county, in September, 1914, shows the following: The 
total cost of maintaining" the unfortunate poor during the year ending 
September ist, was seven thousand five hundred seventeen dollars and fifty- 
seven cents, but this did not take into account the amount of produce raised 
on the county farm, as the harvest was not yet gathered and its value obtain- 
able at that date. Then there is the additional expense of keeping certain 
persons, or partly maintaining them, outside the infirmary, which sum 
amounted to two thousand four hundred twenty-six dollars and eighty-six 
cents, making a grand total of nine thousand nine hundred forty- four dol- 
lars and forty-three cents, less the amount raised on the county farm. On 
September i, 19 14, there were forty persons, twenty-six men and fourteen 
women inmates. There were fourteen admitted during the last fiscal year. 
Total number supported during the year, fifty-four, thirty-six male and 
eighteen females. Five died during the last year and eight were discharged, 
making the present number of inmates forty-one, thirty of whom are men. 

The average cost of keeping the inmates of the Children's Home was 
one hundred sixty-six dollars and one cent each, and the average number in 
the home was thirty-six. 

During the year ending, September i, 19 14, five hundred and twenty- 
nine dollars was paid to old soldiers, sailors and marines, and three thousand 
three hundred and sixty-seven dollars to wives and widows, making a total 
of three thousand eight hundred and ninety-six dollars. 

COUNTY ROADS THE PIKE SYSTEM, 

In the matter of highways, Fayette county has for many years been in 
the forefront in its improvements of the public roads. Its citizens long 
years ago decided that good road-making was the wisest policy to pursue. 
These highwavs have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, Init the money 
was well expended. These roads have been the means of increasing the 
general value of farming lands throughout the county, and have been a 
pleasure to the tax-payer, as he has traveled from one township to another. 
In August, 1900, the records of the county disclose the fact that there were 
then two hundred and seventy-eight miles of pike roads in Fayette county, 
divided in the various townships as follows : Union township, forty-nine 
miles ; Jefferson township, forty-seven miles ; Perry township, eighteen miles ; 
Madison township, twenty-eight miles; Marion township, eighteen miles; 
Jasper township, thirty miles ; Paint township, thirty-seven miles ; Green town- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I T :; 

ship, fifteen miles; Concord township, nineteen miles, and Wayne township, 
seventeen miles. At present it is believed that there are upwards of four 
hundred miles of \nke (or its equivalent) in Fayette county, and more is being 
annually contracted for. 

COUNTY FINANCES. 

An up-to-date county history should make some mention of the financial 
condition of the county in question, and we know of no better method than 
to give some account of early-day finances and \'alues and then, in contrast, 
give the present showing as found in the county records and reports of 19 14, 
which will here follow : 

In 1837, or seventy-seven years ago, the record shows that the number 
of acres of land in the county was 2^,6,26^ ; value of same, including houses, 
$356,212; value of town lots, including buildings, $33,258; number of horses, 
3,565, valued at v$i42,6oo; number of cattle, 5,753, valued at $46,024; mer- 
chants' capital and money at interest, $2S'737'^ number of pleasure carriages, 
2"/, valued at $1,779 (price of a modern automobile). The tax on physicians 
and lawyers was $24; total amount of taxables, $615,580; amount of tax paid 
into the state treasury, $7,397. 

In 1838 George Mantle, Samuel Sollars and James Kirkpatrick, surplus 
revenue fund commissioners, published a statement in the local newspapers, 
relative to the funds as used by the county. The total amount received thereof 
from the state was $14,485, and it was loaned to individuals at the rate of 
seven per cent, on personal security. 

It is an historic fact that in 1835 the United States w^as out of debt, a 
thing that has only occurred once in her history as a republic. The funds 
in the national treasury then increased and rapidly accumulated in excess of 
the expenditures. 

The subjoined is a brief summary of the present standing of finances 
in and for Fayette county as per auditor's report for the fiscal year 1913 : 

The county has but a small outstanding warrant debt, and had on hand 
August 31. 191 3, cash to the amount of $74,748.79. 

The total receipts of the county for the year was $222,123.37. 

Among the expenditures and disbursements w^ere the following items ; 
State expenses, $16,481.14; local school districts, $112,395.91; Children's 
Home school, $55.39; townships, $43,041.91; cities and villages (schools), 
$49,719.54; examination of municipalities, $133.87; examination of district 



Il6 FAYETTE COUNTY,, OHIO. 

schools, $66.30; examination of townships, $44.60; total expenditures, 
$222,063.26. 

Among the detailed items of county expenses are found these: For 
charitable purposes and support of the poor, a total of $22,680.37. Of this 
total amount there were items as follows : For Children's Home, $5,264.95 ; 
relief for indigent blind persons within the county, $3,049.50; for care, treat- 
ment and burial of tuberculosis cases, $300.94. For court of common pleas 
expenses. $4,443.16. Total cost of criminals to county, $1,715.05. Total 
expended in the locating and construction of ditches, $13,697.27. 

It will be seen that much of the tax money goes, as it should, for educa- 
tion. Next comes the expenses connected with the great drainage ditches 
of the county, by which lands once of but slight value for agriculture have 
become the most fertile and valuable of any in the county, now so well known 
as one of Ohio's banner agricultural counties. 



CHAPTER VI. 

COUNTY, STATE AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATION. 

There is, perhaps, no better way to indicate the poHtical complexion of 
Fayette county than to show who was elected here for the various offices, 
county, state and national, from the early days in the county to the present 
date, as nearly as can be found by a careful search of the records. In this 
will be found a list of the governors. Presidents (with vote where it has been 
preserved), the county officers, etc., including the judges and justices of the 
peace of today. 

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN FAYETTE COUNTY. 

In recent years the presidential vote in Fayette county has been as 
follows : 

1880 — ^James A. Garfield had a majority over General Hancock of 719. 

1884 — James G. Blaine had 3,171 votes; Cleveland had 2,111. 

1888 — Benjamin Harrison had 2,313 votes and Cleveland had 2,191. 

1892 — Benjamin Harrison had 2,838 and Cleveland had 1,989. 

1896 — William McKinley had 3,559 votes and W. J. Bryan had 2,739. 

1900 — William McKinley had 3,380 votes and W. J. Bryan had 2,438. 

1904 — Theodore Roosevelt had 3,331 and Judge Alton G. Parker, 1,880. 

1908 — William H. Taft, 3,343; W. J. Bryan, 2,451. 

1912— William H. Taft, 2,193; Theodore Roosevelt, 837; Woodrow 
Wilson, 2,287. 

POLITICS OF THE COUNTY. 

In 1824 the Whigs and Democrats appointed meetings at Washington 
C. H. the same day and evening. One w^as to be held at Hamilton's corner 
and the other at the court house corner, and both political parties had secured 
all the anvils in the villages with which to fire salutes. A party with an ox- 
cart loaded up all these anvils and hauled them to the bank of Paint creek 
and dumped them over into the stream, near the present iron bridge. This 
general disarmament prevented them from having the occasion enlivened by 
■"cannon," as these anvils when fired much reminded the old soldier and 



ii8 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



militiamen of real cannon. Bnt instead came the curses long and loud of 
both parties. Later the blacksmiths had to hsh up their anvils, while others 
looked on and smiled. Then Fayette county was about half Democratic, 
and continued so till iS..|0. after which the Whig and Republicans held, and 
l.ave ever since held, the balance of power. 

STATE SENATORS. 



The following served as state sena 
ounties which have been in the same se 

8ii — James Dunlap. 

— Duncan McArthur. 
812— G. W. Barrere. 
813 — G. W. Barrere. 
814 — G. W. Barrere. 
815 — Sam Evans. 
816 — Sam Evans. 
817 — Allen Trimble. 
818— Allen Trimble. 
819 — Allen Trimble. 
82a — Allen Trimble. 
821 — Allen Trimble. 
822 — Allen Trimble. 
823 — Allen Trimble. 
824 — Allen Trimble. 
825 — Allen Trimble. 
826 — John Jones. 
827 — John Jones. 
828 — John Jones. 
829— M. Crothers. 
830— AT. Crothers. 
831 — AT. Crothers. 
832— M. Crothers. 
833— J- J- McDowell. 
834— J. J. McDowell. 
^35— J- J. McDowell. 
836 — Jacob Kirbv. 

— T. Arbuckle. 



ors, representing Eayette and other 
latorial district, since 1810: 

837— J- Arbuckle. 
838 — xA.aron Harlan. 
839 — Aaron Harlan. 
840 — No record. 
841 — W. Robbins. 
842— \V. Robbins. 
843 — J. M. Barrere. 
844 — J. M. Barrere. 
845— B. Martin. 
846— B. Martin. 
847 — Franklin Corwin. 
848 — Franklin Corwin. 
849 — Ruel Beeson. 
850 — Ruel Beeson. 
852 — John Fudge. 
854 — Isaac S. Wright. 
856 — Nelson Rush. 
858— J. J. ^^'inans. 
860 — John O. Smith. 
862— Mills Gardner. 
864 — John F. Patton. 
866— A. W^ Doan. 
868 — S. N. Yoeman. 
870— M. D. Gatch. 
860— John O. Smith. 
874— S. N. Yoeman. 
876 — A. Spangler. 
SyS — Thomas S. Jackson. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



119 



1S80 — A. R. Creamer. 
1882 — Coats Kinney. 
1884 — Jesse N. Oren. 
1886 — JMadison Pavey. 
1888 — Isaac S. Barrett. 
1890 — John N. Oren. 
1892 — F. G. Carpenter. 
189-1. — John M. Hughesy. 
1896 — Charles F. Howard. 



1898 — Byron Lutz. 
1900 — Arthur W. Madden. 
1902 — Thomas M. Watts. 
1904 — James G. Carson. 
1906 — F. C. Arbenz. 
1908 — Doctor Holdren. 
1 910 — C. L. Doster. 
191 1 — M. A. Broadstone. 



STATE REPRESENTATIVES. 



812 — Joseph Hopkins. 
813 — Samuel Myers. 
814 — James Crothers. 
815 — Thomas McDonald. 
816 — James Crothers. 
817 — James Crothers. 
818 — Samuel Myers. 
819^ — James Crothers. 
820 — Benjamin Hinton. 
821 — James Crothers. 
822 — Robert Robinson. 
823 — Robert Robinson. 
824 — Batteal Harrison. 
825 — Thomas McGarraugh, 
826 — Thomas McGarraugh. 
827 — Thomas McGarraugh. 
828 — Batteal Harrison. 
829 — Thomas McGarraugh. 
830 — William Palmer. 
831 — T. McGarraugh. 
832—]- J. McDowell. 
833 — S. F. Yoeman. 
834 — Jacob Kirby. 
835 — David Reese. 
836 — B. Harrison. 
837 — B. Harrison. 
838— W. H. Creighton. 



1839- 
1840- 
1841- 
1842- 

1843- 
1844- 
1845- 
1846- 

1847- 
1848- 
1849- 
1850- 
1852- 

1854- 
1856- 
1858- 
1860- 
1862- 
1864- 
1866- 



-Batteal Harrison. 

-Reese, Carothers and Smith. 

-Reese, Carothers and Smith. 

-Robert Robinson. 

-Means and Martin. 

-Robert Dobbins. 

-Stephen Evans. 

-F. Corwin. 

-James Carothers. 

-Hugh Smart. 

-Jacob T. Pugsley. 

-Otto Williams. 

-Nelson Rush. 

']• ]• Worthington. 

A\'. H. Latham. 

-R. M. Briggs. 



-Sam F. Kerr. 
-James Purcell. 
-James Purcell. 
-Mills Gardner. 
-S. F. Kerr. 
1870— M. J. Williams. 
-M. j. Williams. 
-J. L. Myers. 
-William Millikan. 
-M. S. Creamer. 
-William Millikan. 



1872— I 
1874- 
1876- 
1878- 



I20 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

1882-86— H. L. Hadley. 1902-06— J. Madison Willis. 

1886-90 — David I. Worthington. 1906-08 — Dr. L. M. McFadden. 

1890-94 — H. M. Daugherty. 1908-10— Dr. L. M. McFadden. 

1894-98 — Charles W. Gray. 1910-12 — C. A. Reid. 

1898-02 — Reuben Rankin. 1912-14 — C. A. Reid. 

PRESIDING JUDGES. 

Before the constitution of 185 1 the Ohio judicial system provided for 
a presiding judge and associate judges, who later, after the adoption of the 
new constitution, were called common pleas judges. The following served 
as presiding judges : 

1 810 — John Thompson. 1829-33 — Frederick Grinke. 

1 81 8 — Orris Parish. 1834-42 — J. W. Price. 

1816-23 — John Thompson. 1843-47 — O. T. Fishback. 

1824-28 — Gustavus Swan. 1848-50 — S. F. Norris. 

ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 

1 81 0-16 — Henry Snyder, William Blackmore and James Mooney. 
181 7-18 — Thomas McGarraugh, Batteal Harrison and James Mooney. 
1819-23 — Batteal Harrison, James Mooney and Thomas McGarraugh. 
1824-27 — Thomas McGarraugh, Wade Loof borrow and Joseph L. Gil- 
lespie. 

1828-30— Joseph L. Gillespie, James Carothers and James B. Webster. 
1831-33 — James Carothers, James B. Webster and Jacob Jamison. 
1834-42 — Jacob Jamison, James Carothers and James Sharp. 
1843 — Jo^l S. Bereman, Jacob Jamison and James Carothers. 
1844-46 — James Carothers, Jacob Jamison and Daniel McLean. 
1847 — James Carothers, Daniel McLean and James Manery. 
1848-50 — Samuel F. Yoeman, Daniel McLean and James Manery. 
1 85 1 — James Manery, Daniel McLean and James Beatty. 

COMMON PLEAS JUDGES. 

1852-54 — James S. Bates, Shepard F. Norris and John L. Green. 

1855-56 — James L. Bates. 

1857 — James Sloane. 

1858 — A. S. Dickey and Shepard F. Norris. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



121 



1859-60 — Robert M. Briggs and James L. Bates. 

1 86 1 — A. S. Dickey, James L. Bates and T. Q. Ashburn. 

1862-64 — Robert M. Briggs and Alfred S. Dickey. 

1865-68— Alfred S. Dickey. 

1869-71— W. H. Stafford and A. S. Dickey. 

1872— S. F. Steele and W. H. Stafford. 

1873 — Joseph Olds and S. F. Steele. 

1874 — T. M. Gray and S. F. Steele. 

1875— T. M. Gray and S. W. Courtright. 

\'^'](i-'jy — John Vanmeter and Thadens R. Minshall. 

1878-79— S. F. Steele and T. R. Minshall. 

1880-81 — S. F. Steele and Asa Gregg. 

1884 — T. A. Minchall. H. H. Huggins and Ace Gregg. 

1886 — W. E. Evans, H. H. Huggins and Ace Gregg. 

1887 — H. H. Huggins, W. E. Evans. 

1890 — William E. Evans, H. H. Huggins. 

1891— -H. H. Huggins, C. Newby and William E. Evans. 

1893 — C. Newby. 

1895— H. B. Maynard. 

1896— H. B. Maynard. 

1900 — F. Walters. 

1903 — S. W. Durflinger, W. H. Wiggins. 

1904 — Charles Dershbach. 

1906 — Cyrus Newby, O. H. Sams. 

1908— J. W. Goldsberry, F. G. Carpenter. 

1910 — C. Curtin, Charles Dresbach. 

191 2 — H. F. Morrow, Cyrus Newby. 

COUNTY AUDITORS. 



1824 — Norman F. Jones. 
1828-33 — Norman F. Jones. 
1833-41 — James Hinton. 
1841-42 — Jared Plumb. 
1842-50 — James Pursell. 
1850-58 — Henry Robinson. • 
1858-61 — John Sanders. 
1861-70^ — -James P. Robinson. 



1870-73— Abel McCandles. 
1873-77 — James P. Robinson. 
1877-80 — Thomas J. Lindsey. 
1880-86 — James P. Robinson. 
1 886- 1900 — T. J. Lindsey. 
1900-04 — John Craig. 
1904-08 — H. D. Chafin. 
1908-12 — A. E. Henkle. 



122 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



COUNTY RECORDERS. 



I8IO-3I- 


-Jesse Alilliken. 


1861-64- 


-N. B. Coons. 


1831-33- 


-Robert Robinson. 


1864-66- 


-Joseph C. Plumb. 


1833-35- 


-Samuel Millikan. 


• 1866-81- 


-Z. W. Heagler. 


1835-37- 


-Samuel Loofborrow. 


1882-92- 


-J. R. Sutherland. 


1837-38- 


-Samuel F. Kerr. 


1892-96- 


-FI. V. Rodgers. 


1838-39- 


-S. F. Loofborrow. 


1896-02- 


-J. A. Dick. 


1839-43- 


-Samuel Millikan. 


1902-10- 


-J. M. Sturgeon. 


1843-53- 


-Nelson Rush. 


1910-14- 


-T. E. B. Brown. 


1853-61- 


—John Douglass. 







COUNTY TREASURERS. 



1828-36 — Benjamin Hinton. 
1836-39 — James Webster. 
1839-50 — Z. W. Heagler. 
1850-54— W. McElwain. 
1854-57 — Jesse Burnett. 
1857-59 — Robert Stewart. 
1859-60 — ^^'illiam jMcEhvain. 
1860-61 — Richard Tarokes. 
1861-62 — J. S. Bereman. 
1862-66— A. T. Silcott. 
1866-70 — A. C. Johnson. 
1870-72 — J. W. Say re. 



1872-76 — Eli Craig. 
1876-78 — C. Garis. 
1878-82— Eli Craig. 
1882-86— L. W. Rowe. 
1886-90 — James F. Cook. 
1890-94 — E. W. Welsheimer. 
1894-98— G. W. Patton. 
1898-02 — Samuel Cockerill. 
1902-06 — John Anders. 
1906-11- — P. E. Rothrock. 
1911-14 — R. S. Quinn. 



CLERKS OF THE COURT. 



1810-35 — Jesse Millikan. 
1835-42 — Joseph Bell. 
1842-44 — Elam Hinton. 
1844-50 — Samuel Millikan. 
1850-54 — J. S. Bereman. 
1854-67-^Richard Millikan. 
1867-75 — Mason Blanchard. 



1875-76 — -Joseph C. Plumb. 
1876-87 — Elmer W. Welsheimer, 
1887-96— Frank M. Allen. 
1896-02— O. D. Smith. 
1902-08 — E. J. Light. 
1908-12 — G. H. Hitchcock. 
1912-14 — E. W. Durflinger. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



123 



SHERIFFS. 



1810-12 — Mr. Clark. 
1812-22 — Robert Robinson, 

N. F. Jones. 
1822-28 — Aaron Johnson. 
1828-32 — Joseph Bloomer. 
1832-34 — W. S. Williams. 
1834-43 — Joseph Bloomer. 
1843-44 — Robert Cissna. 
1844-48 — Joel S. Bereman. 
1848-51 — James Vance. 
1851-55 — John C. Jones. 
1855-56 — William H. Blakemore. 
1856-61 — William Burnett. 
1861-65 — William Smith. 



1865-69 — James Starley. 
1869-73 — Conrad Garis. 
1873-77 — Johri Millikan. 
1877-81 — Oswell Smith. 
1881-84 — James Cook. 
1884-88— A. B. Rankin. 
1888-94 — George W. Patton. 
1 894-96 — Solomon Loot" borro\v 
I896-I9O0 — S. O. Wilson. 
1900-04 — S. C. Phillips. 
1904-08 — John A. McLain, Jr. 
1908-12 — Samuel Nelson. 
1912-14 — O. S. Nelson. 



PROBATE JUDGES 



1852-56 — S. F. Kerr. 
1856-65— L. D. Williard. 
1865-68— Manfred Williard. 
1868-71 — S. B. Yoeman. 
1871-82— J. B. Priddy. 
1882-88— Thomas N. Craig. 



1888-96— T. D. McElwain. 
1896-02 — H. M. Blessing. 
1902-08 — J. L. Zimmerman. 
1908-12 — A. C. Patton. 
191 2- 14 — Rell G. Allen. 



PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 



1 81 0-18 — Wade Loo f borrow. 
18 18- 19 — Samuel Buck. 
1819-22 — Wade Loof borrow. 
1822-23 — Benjamin G. Leonard. 
1 823-24 — Wade I>oof borrow. 
1824-27 — Benjamin G. Leonard. 
1827-31 — Wade Loof borrow. 
1831-33— H. Phelps. 
1833-34 — Wade Loofborrow. 
1834-35 — Robert Robinson. 
1835-42 — Col. S. F. Kerr. 



1843-47- 
1847-52- 
1852-54- 
1854-56- 
1856-60- 
1860-62- 
1862-64- 
1866-68- 
1868-70- 
1870-72- 
1872-74- 



-Bereman Martin. 
-Nelson Rush. 
-David M. Jones. 
-Robert M. Briggs. 
-Mills Gardner. 
-M. Williams. 
-M. Pavey. 
-M. Williams. 
-J. B. Priddy. 
-H. B. Maynard. 
-M. Pavey. 



124 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

1874-80 — A. R. Creamer. . 1896-02 — Charles A. Reed. 

1880-82 — Ace Gregg. 1902-08 — E. L. Bush. 

1882-84 — Frank Carpenter. 1908-10 — P. Gregg. 

1884-92 — Robert C. Miller. 19 10-12 — Thomas S. Maddox. 
1892-96 — Nye Gregg. 

CORONERS. 

Since 1880 the county coroners have successively been Samuel Hooker, 
T. H. Knott, S. C. Roberts, L. F. House, J. M. Edwards, E. M. Burgess, T. 
J. Grove, S. E. Boggs and L. P. Howell. 

COUNTY SURVEYORS. 

Since 1880 — T. M. Perdue, F. M. Kennedy, D. R. Jacobs and Thomas 
J. Groves. 

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

This office was created l)y the Ohio Legislature in 191 3 and Frank M. 
Allen was the first to hold such office in Fayette county, having been elected 
in 1914. 

DISTRICT ASSESSOR. 

This is another new office created in Ohio in 1913, and J. C. Dunn was 
the first to .hold the office. Flis headquarters are in the basement of the court 
house. He has charge of the fourteen deputy assessors in the county. The 
office is one of much importance to taxpayers. Already this officer has dis- 
covered much more property that has not been taxed for a third of a century, 
the taxes on which is enough to pay his salary a long time. In the state there 
will be millions of dollars of taxes brought to light and paid through this 
new system. 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 

This office was created by act of the General Assembly of Ohio, Febru- 
ary 14. 1804, and stands substantially as it was first made. 
18 10 — Jacob Jamison, James Brooks and John Harrold. 
(Owing to loss of records those down to 1828 cannot be given.) 
1828 — Thomas Burnett, Jacob Jamison and Mathew Jones. 
1S29 — Jacoi) Jamison, Mathew Jones and James Woods. 
1830 — Jacob Jamison, David Creamer and Joseph Parrott. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I25 

831 — Samuel Sellers, David Creamer and Joseph Parrott. 

832-33 — Samuel Sellers, Merit Jamison and John Stilt. 

834 — John Stilt, Samuel Sellers and James Kirkpatrick. 

835-36 — Samuel Sellers, James Kirkpatrick and George Mantle. 

837 — Samuel Sellers, George Mantle and Isaac Jenkins. 

838 — Isaac Jenkins, Merit Johnson and Samuel Sellers. 

839 — Merit Johnson, Isaac Jenkins and James Shivers. 

840 — Isaac Jenkins, James Shivers and John Hays. 

841 — James Jenkins, William Limes and William Limes. 

842 — Isaac Jenkins, William Limes and Isaac Cook. 

843 — William Limes, Isaac Cook and Joseph B. Creamer. 

844-46 — Isaac Cook, J. B. Creamer and James Shivers. 

847-48 — Isaac L. Cook, J. B. Creamer and Joseph Mark. 

849 — Joseph Marks. Isaac L. Cook and Jacob A. Rankin. 

850- —Isaac L. Cook. Jacob A. Rankin and Robert Eyre. 

851-52 — Jacob A. Rankin, Robert Eyre and Micajah Draper. 

853 — Jacob A. Rankin, Alfred Bruce and William Knox. 

855 — Alfred Bruce, William Knox and M. Draper. 

856 — Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and John H. Parrott. 

857 — Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and Benjamin Burnett. 

858-59 — No record. 

860 — Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and Thomas B. Thornton. 

861 — Jacob A. Rankin, Thomas B. Thornton and Ira Yoeman. 

862-63 — Ira Yoeman, B. H. Burnett and Jacob A. Rankin. 

864 — No record. 

865 — Jacob A. Rankin, B. H. Burnett and B. F. Thomas. 

866 — B. H. Burnett, B. F. Thomas and William H. Jones. 

867 — William PI. Jones, Allen Haegler and William Clark. 

868 — Allen Haegler. William Clark and Enos Reeder. 

869 — -William Clark. Enos Reeder and Curan iNIillikan. 

870 — William Clark. Enos Reeder and George S. Fullerton. 

871 — George S. Fullerton, A. C. Johnson and Abram Bush. 

872 — George S. Fullerton, Abram Bush and E. L. Ford. 

873 — Abram Bush, E. L. Ford and R. S. Sutherland. 

874 — Abram Bush, E. L. Ford and H. Ellis. 

875 — Same as above. 

876^ — ^R. S. Sutherland. Abram Bush and H. Ellis. 

877— H. Ellis, R. S. Sutherland and W. J. Horney. 

878-80— W. J. Horney. R. S. Sutherland and J. Mahan. 



126 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

1880-86— R. J. Sutherland. R. .S. Eyre and \\\ T. Horney. 
1886 — Same as above. 

1887 — R. S. E}Te, Henry Mark and Thomas Parrott. 
1888— Henry Mark, T. P. Parrott and L. C. Mallow. 
1889-93 — T. F. Parrott, L. C. Mallow and Henry Fulton. 
J 893 — L. C. Mallow, Henry Fulton and E. L. James. 
1894- — Henry Fulton. E. L. James and E. T. Cockerill. 
1895-99 — E. L. James, E. E. Cockerill and N. B. Hall. 
1899-01 — E. E. Cockerill, N. B. Hall and E. L. James. 
1901-02 — E. L. James, R. W. Vincent and Charles Sollars. 
1902-07 — Robert Vincent, Charles Sollars and Clark Rowe. 
1907 — Charles Sollars, Clark Rowe and James Ford. 
1908 — Clark Rowe, James Ford and John M. Jones. 
1909 — James Ford. John M. Jones and Clark Rowe. 
1910 — J. M. Jones, S. C. Phillips and Add Hays. 
191 1 — James Ford. H. F. Brown and Edwin ^^^eaver. 
191 2 — James Ford, H. F. Brown and Edwin \\'eaver. 
1913 — H. F. Brown, Eouis Perrill and Edwin Weaver. 
18 14 — H. F. Brown, Louis Perrill and Edwin Weaver. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

In 1 9 14 the following were the justices of the peace serving in Fayette 
county, by townships : 

Concord — None qualified. 

Green — S. M. Roush, Washington C. H. 

Jasper — John D. McMahon, ]\Iilledgeville. 

Jefferson — U. G. Creamer, JefTersonville. 

Madison — Fred Halvey, Madison Mills; J. W. Lewis, Pancoastburg. 

jNIarion — Joseph Andrews, New Holland. 

Paint — E. W. Rumer, Jefferson\'ille ; H. A. Pinkerton, Bloomingburg. 

Perry — J. N. Fetherlin. 

Union— J. B. Koontz, Washington C. H. ; T. N. Craig, Washington 
C. H. 

Wayne — R. J. Nelson, Good Hope. 



CHAPTER VII. 

TRANSPORTATION BEFORE AND AFTER RAILROADS CAME. 

In the settlement of early Ohio counties there were no railroads. Trans- 
portation was by freight wagons and by boats of various types. The pio- 
neer was working at a great disadvantage in comparison to what the "first 
settlers" in the far West are. Now the steam horse goes through and scat- 
ters circulars broadcast, advertising the cpiality of land, the chance in town 
sites, corner lots, etc. Immigration is thus set in operation. The train bears 
the famih^ and the household belongings, together with teams and farm im- 
plements, all ready to go to tilling the virgin soil with. Not so fifty and a 
hundred years ago in Ohio and Fayette county ! 

With all that may be said concerning the "soulless corporations" (rail- 
ways), the fact still remains that the railroads have been the great and all- 
powerful agencies in developing what was once a wilderness into a garden 
spot that has come to blossom like the rose. 

THE FIRST RAILROAD. 

During the session of the Ohio Legislature of 1849-50 the member from 
this senatorial district, Mr. Linton, introduced a bill which authorized the 
granting of a charter for a railroad, to be constructed from Zanesville to 
Cincinnati, via Wilmington. The member of the House from Fayette re- 
quested that the name of Washington C. H. be included in the charter, but 
this the gentleman from Wilmington refused to do. The Washington people 
became indignant and employed Judge Daniel McLain to go to Columljus and 
work up their interest, and he eventually succeeded in securing the desired 
change. The company was organized and Judge McLain elected one of the 
directors. The county commissioners were importuned to issue bonds to the 
extent of one hundred thousand dollars, and took action on the matter as 
follows : 

"Washington, Saturday, July 12, 185 1. 

"On this dav the commissioners met. Present, Isaac L. Cook, Jacob A. 
Rankin and Robert Eyre. 

"And upon examining the act of the General Assembly of the State of 



128 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Ohio, passed March 5, 1851, entitled 'An Act to authorize the commissioners- 
of Fayette county to subscribe to the capital stock of the Cincinnati, Wil- 
mington & Zanesville Railroad Company,' and being fully satisfied that the 
preliminaries required by said law, in order to the taking of said stock by 
said commissioners, had all been fully complied with, they thereupon did 
proceed, for and in behalf of said county, to subscribe to said capital stock 
of said railroad company the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, in all 
respects as by said act they are authorized and required to do, as by their 
subscription upon the books of said company, this day made, will fully and 
at large appear." 

A cjuestion arose as to whether bonds could be issued on a railroad 
before it was constructed and the commissioners of Clinton county refused 
to sign the bonds. Meanwhile the contractor, Mr. DeGraff, demanded some 
assurance that the money would be forthcoming at the proper time, before 
he would begin operations. He was fully assured on that point and in the 
fall of 1852 the road was completed from Zanesville to Morrowtown. Judge 
McLain took a number of trips to the East and purchased iron, which had 
been manufactured at Sweden. The terminus of the road being Morrow, 
instead of Cincinnati, the earnings of the road were insufficient to meet the 
expense. The road went through various hands until the present time, being 
now known as a part of the Pennsylvania line. 

An historic work published in 1881, touching on the subject of Fayette 
railway systems, said: "Several roads have been projected through this 
county, and at this writing there are three in active operation. A number 
of years ago the construction of a road from Dayton running to Belpre was 
agitated, and the line surveyed through Fayette county. Bonds for money 
to assist in the work were issued by the commissioners and a number of 
people subscribed liberally to the general fund. The grading was nearing 
completion, when, for reasons known best to those interested, the project 
was abandoned. 

"In 1874 Dayton capitalists conceived the idea of building a road from 
that enterprising city to the coal fields of southern Ohio. Great interest was 
taken in the matter, work was begun and hurried to completion, and, in 
spite of financial troubles, the desired end was reached in 1879. This road 
was constructed as a narrow gauge and did an immense business after its 
completion to the coal fields. In the spring of 1881 it was purchased by the 
Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railroad Company, who connected it with 
their extensive narrow gauge system through Ohio and Indiana, and will 
extend on to the Ohio ri^•er shortly. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I 29 

"In the meantime, Springfield capitalists determined to construct a nar- 
row gauge to Pomeroy, Ohio. Work was commenced and in 1875 the road 
was finished to Jackson. It was first known as the Springfield, Jackson & 
Pomeroy Railroad, but was sold under mortgage in 1879 to a Springfield 
syndicate, who changed it to a standard gauge, and changed the name to 
that of the Springfield Southern. This last company operated it until the 
spring of 1881, when the Indianapolis, P)loomington & Western Company 
purchased the franchise and changed the name to the Southern Ohio." 

For near a half century the good citizens of Jefferson township worked 
for a steam railway through its territory. When the county took a vote to 
determine whether the taxpayers should aid in the building of the Cincin- 
nati, Wilmington & Zanesville railroad, Jefferson township liberally voted 
"Yes.'' The Dayton & Southeastern project was defeated, while the question 
of voting a certain amount in bonds to aid in the construction of the Spring- 
field, Jackson & Pomeroy railroad was decided in the affirmative; however, 
the bill authorizing the township to issue bonds was declared unconstitutional 
and for the time being the project was abandoned. 

In the winter of 1874-75 the matter was again taken up by William 
Blessing and C. W. Gray. Aleetings were called, speakers secured and thirty- 
five thousand dollars was quickly raised. The land owners came to the front 
most willingly. In the spring work was commenced on the proposed railroad, 
which road was finished in the autumn of 1877. This line did a fair business, 
but the following year the road went into receiver's hands, who sold to the 
Springfield Southern Company. 

PRESENT RAILROADS. 

In 1914 the railway lines of Fayette county were as follows: Baltimore 
& Ohio, with twenty-one miles; Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, with twenty- 
three miles ; Detroit, Toledo & Ironton, with twenty-eight miles ; Pennsyl- 
vania (old Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley line), with seventeen miles; the 
old "Grasshopper" line, now a branch of the D.. T. & I. road, with twelve 
miles. This gi^•es, in main track in this county, a mileage of one hundred 
and one miles, in round figures. 
19) 



CHAPTER VIII. 

EVOLUTION OF AGRICULTURE AND STOCK-RAISING. 

Fayette county may properly be classed among the purely agricultural 
sub-divisions of the state of Ohio. Its wealth has come from the soil through 
its annual crops, either sold as harvested or fed to live stock, and of later 
years largely to swine. On account of the small per centage of loss by 
cholera, until recent years, and the higher prices which have obtained, it has 
been a profitable thing to raise swine in the county. 

The soil, as has been shown in the chapter on geology, is far superior 
to that of many sections of the commonwealth. At an early day both fruits 
and grains were con\'erted into \'arious kinds of distilled and malted liquors, 
but for many years the farmer has not depended on this source of revenue — 
indeed has not been permitted to use his grain for this purpose. The days 
of distilleries have forever passed here. The great products of the soil are 
demanded in more legitimate and useful channels — that of feeding the nations 
of the earth. 

The leading industry in all ages has been that of agriculture. The 
products of the ground, by proper tillage, have fed and will continue to feed 
the teeming millions of earth's inhabitants. Some countries are better suited 
for the profitable production of the great crops of wheat and corn than are 
others. Then the country where these grains are best grown must be the 
center of agriculture and wealth. The United States census a decade and 
more ago disclosed the fact that in this country seven out of every twelve 
persons were engaged in farming pursuits, directly or indirectly. This, of 
course, included stock raising, dairying and horticulture. The first thing, 
then, to make a profitable country in which to farm is to have the gift of good, 
lasting soil. The best of soil will wear out and not many decades since Ohio 
farmers paid but little attention to keeping the land provided with proper pro- 
ductive elements, by fertilizing. But the time came when it w^as found that 
the native soil would no longer produce well, and then it was that, from a 
self-protective standpoint, men began to husband the soil and take proper 
care of it. Fayette county has been fortunate in having an original good 
soil, and also in having intelligent farmers, who have kept the land in suitable 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I3I 

condition. Hence we hear it spoken of as one of the banner counties in 
Ohio. In 1862, over a half century ago, this was listed with fourteen of the 
best counties in Ohio in the matter of corn production. Fayette was third 
in rank among these fifteen counties, and produced two million sixty-five 
thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine bushels of corn that year. 

Corn and live stock, horses and cattle, have been, together with the im- 
mense droves of hogs in more recent years, the source of this county's great 
wealth. 

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 

The 191 o census reports give the following figures on Fay'ette county, 
and may be relied upon as correct : 

The total number of farms in the county was 1,846; farms operated by 
owners, 1,080; operated by tenants, 742; operated by managers, 24. 

These farms were run as follows : 372 on share rent ; 80 on share cash 
rent; 2^}^ cash rent; not specified, 17. 

The classification of farms as to size was: 3 to 9 acres; 112; 10 to 19 
acres, loi ; 20 to 49 acres, 226; 50 to 99 acres, 410; 100 to 174 acres, 520; 
175 to 259 acres, 275 ; 260 to 499 acres, 159; 500 to 999 acres, 39 ; 1000 acres 
and upwards, 4. 

The total land area is 264,320; land in farms, 249,140; timber land, 
12,464; per cent in farms, 94.3; average acreage, 135; average value of 
farms, $14,494; average value per acre, $84.93. 

The number of farms free from debt was 718; number with mortgage 
debt, 354; number not reporting condition, 8. 

The amount of fertilizer used in 19 10 was $52,254. 

The total of crops was: Corn, 3,841,506 bushels; wheat, 792,023 
bushels; oats, 157,869 bushels; lye, 8,015 bushels; barley, 591 bushels. 

Total cattle, 15.350, valued at $524,263; total horses, 11,639, valued at 
$1,137,724; total swine, 93.560, valued at $521,064; total of sheep, $24,025, 
valued at $105,299; total goats, 15, valued $45; total of poultry, 180,394, 
valued at $95,186. 

In 191 1 there were 226 acres of alfalfa grown and from it 540 tons 
produced. 

DRAINAGE. 

Many years prior to the settlement of the territory now including Fayette 
county it was a favorite hunting ground for roving bands of Indians, who 
occupied the country lying between the old town of Chillicothe, in Greene 



132 ■ FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

county, where they had their council house and headquarters, and the Ohio 
ri\'er, and who each year burnt off the grass, which, in some places, grew^ to 
a height of six feet. However, as the white settlers gradually came in and 
the Indians \\ithdrew, the rank vegetation was permitted to grow unmolested, 
fall down and decay, year after year, until the deep accumulation of vege- 
table matter producing miasmatic infection to such an extent that the county, 
during the vears from 181 8 until 1824, was rendered almost uninhabitable 
and all who could possibly leave the county did so. On Lee's creek, or be- 
tween Lee's and Rattlesnake, in the early history of the county, a settlement 
was formed by the Yocums. Bursons and others which, on account of the 
extreme unhealthy condition of the same, was totally abandoned and the 
empty cabins were seen standing as late as 1820. These cabins, it is said, 
were superior in their structure to any in the county, having been hewn smooth 
on the outside and the corners neatly dovetailed and carried up straight and 
square. To such an extent did malaria exist that the county was in danger 
of total depopulation in some regions, especially north of Washington C. H., 
in Jasper, Jeft'erson, Paint, Madison, Marion and the northern part of Union 
townships, while those south of Washington C. H. were level, but the beds 
of the streams lieing deeper better under-drainage was provided. 

The problem of drainage and tiling them came into prominence as a 
means to combat the unhealthy conditions and the failure of nature to pro- 
vide aid. The pioneers in this enterprise were Judge D. McLain and several 
others, who cut a few open ditches in the wettest lands, one of which, cut by 
McLain, emptying into Vandeman's run, was visited by people from a dis- 
tance as a great curiosity. In about 1840 the open ditches w'ere improved 
by having wood placed W'ithin them and filled in with dirt. These, in turn, 
were replaced l)y the tile ditch. 

The first effort in this direction was made by Judge McLain, who con- 
ceived the idea of placing brick on end, closed at the top, and apart at the 
bottom a distance of six inches. These, however, when the dirt was thrown 
in, sank into the ground and proved worthless. A kind of tube was then 
manufactured by hand, which, though a very slow process, was a great im- 
provement upon the open ditch, the wood-covered ditch or the brick. 

As the feasibility of tiling was established and the great advantages per- 
ceived, the Ti^idge erected a power tile machine, said to have been the first in 
the United States. In 1856 or 1857, J. W. Penfield procured a patent for 
a horse-])ower tile machine and exhibited the same at the state fair in Cin- 
cinnati. Judge McLain saw the machine, finally bought it, set it up on his 
farm and l)urncd a kiln of tile. Prior to the introduction of this invention 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1 33 

tile were pressed by a large lever operated by hand. There was much prejudice 
against the tile, owing to the belief that water could not get through it. This 
had to be refuted by the actual experiment of placing a closed tile perpen- 
dicular in a bed of mortar and filling it with water and not until the water 
was seen oozing through and running away was prejudice disarmed and the 
true value of tile established. 

In the beginning Judge McLain manufactured tile for his own use 
alone, but, in order to introduce the article and to persuade others to improve 
their lands, he made some for others, in small quantities, to test their value. 
In about 1850 he began tiling his wettest lands on a systematic basis. The 
tile was laid about three feet below the surface, so that water when reaching 
the tile would be completely filtered and all sediment removed. 

This fortunate system of land drainage has reached a wonderful stage 
of development in Fayette county today. Hardly a farm is without tiling 
and systematic drainage of the crop land. A farmer now has little to do 
with stagnant pools in his land. The water sinks cjuickly after a heavy 
rain and is carried off in proportionate quantities. Crops are practically 
doubled on this account. 

COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 

Of agricultural societies there has been no end in Fayette county. They 
began to exist in an early day, comparatively speaking, and for a time were 
successful. Then the state fairs interfered with them, and the local societies 
began running largely to horse racing at the fairs and this soon displeased 
the better, more practical type of farmers and they did not bring in their 
exhibits as before, hence the county fairs went down. Then within a few- 
years more enterprising men took hold of the matter and formed other county 
societies and held creditable annual exhibits again. 

A new agricultural society was formed in Fayette county January 11, 
1901, and its ofiicers and directors were as follows: Jacob Cockerill, vice- 
president and from Perry township; Samuel Zimmerman, Green township; 
S. L. Sollars, Concord township; James Ford, Jasper township; Howard 
Hagler, Jefferson township; J. M. Kleever, Paint township; John Salmon, 
Madison township ; Charles Persinger, Marion township ; Capt. T. F. Parrott, 
Wayne township ; Benton Garinger, Union township ; Dr. E. M. Boggess, 
Washington; H. S. Sanderson, president; Solon Loofborrow, vice-president; 
Frank M. Kennedy, secretary; H. Jones, treasurer. 

The present society holds its annual fairs at Washington C. H., which 



134 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

are usually largely attended. The exhibits of the products of the soil, the 
array of fine blooded stock and the races draw large crowds. The present 
officers of the society are : R. G. Jefferson, president ; Mart L. McCoy, vice- 
president ; James P'ord, treasurer; W. B. Rogers, secretary. By townships 
the directors are : M. L. McCoy, Union ; James Ford, Jasper ; B. L. Sollars, 
Concord; Howard Hagler. Jeft'erson ; J. M. Klever, Paint; R. G. Jefferson, 
Madison; H. Wilson, Marion; Oris Hagler, Wayne; E. E. Cockerill, Perry; 
Jesse F. Cross, Green. 

The fair grounds are located about a half mile from the court house, 
are well improved and furnished with all that makes a successful annual 
exhibit. 

HOG CHOLERA EPIDEMICS. 

During the last few years Fayette county has been scourged by hog 
cholera, perhaps as much as, if not indeed more than, any Ohio county. Tens 
of thousands of valuable swine were lost by this dread animal disease. In 
1 9 13 so alarming was this trouble in Ohio that the Legislature, prompted by 
petitions from farmers and stock men, appropriated twenty thousand dollars 
to experiment with certain suposed remedies, and Fayette county was selected 
as the location in which to make such tests. This is all under state super- 
vision and in this county, where cholera was the worst, the treatment is free. 
In three townships there were twenty-nine thousand hogs being treated with 
this specific, and the results the present season ( 1914) are very satisfactory, 
scarcely no hogs having died, and still the work goes on. The test com- 
menced in December, 191 3, under state direction. 

CORN SHOWS AND INSTITUTES. 

Fayette county has long been noted for its excellent farmers' institutes 
and its annual corn shows, held in various parts of the county. The agricul- 
tural extension schools have accomplished a wonderful work in advancing 
the science of agriculture in these parts of Ohio. At the seventh annual corn 
show held at Jeffersonville in 191 3, one hundred and fifty farmers received 
instructions. Enthusiasm was great and the corn contest was spirited. The 
best corn in the county was exhibited and w^as greater than ever before in the 
countv's history. There were one hundred and seventy-seven entries of high 
grade corn. H. W. Bussert made many winnings, and carried off four 
"firsts" and won out on "sweepstakes." F. E. Eichelberger came in close 
behind with three "firsts" in the various classes of corn exhibits. 



CHAPTER IX. 

BANKS AND BANKING. 

Banking is not among the pioneer institutions in any new country, at 
least such Was not the case in the settlement of countries a half century and 
more ago. Barter was the rule, and it was a time when the per capita of 
money in this country was very low. Money, as a real true circulating 
medium, was indeed scarce. We had to depend upon Spain, with her Spanish- 
milled dollar, on England for her smaller silver coins, and on "red-dog," 
"wild-cat" and other cheap paper notes or scrip, put in circulation from vari- 
ous sections of the country, for what money we did possess. This all went 
for taxes and hence there was little use for banks or banking in Fayette in 
those years. 

Though in her ver}- infancy, Fayette county, during the ^^^ar of 1812, 
sent many supplies to the American army during its operations in the North- 
west. Especially was this true in live stock. A good deal of money was put 
into circulation as a direct result of this medium of exchange. In these 
transactions the government paid partly in specie, but mainly through the 
banks of Cincinnati, the Miami Exporting Company, Bank of Cincinnati and 
John H. Piatt's bank. Piatt was a heavy army contractor and his notes 
obtained an extensive circulation during that last war with Great Britain. 

A peculiarity about the money put in use in the Miami and Scioto val- 
leys before and after the War of 1812 was what was termed "cut money." 
This kind of medium originated, it is believed, in Kentucky, the object being 
to keep silver in home circulation, where it was current at par in most trans- 
actions, though not receivable for public lands or merchandise outside of the 
county. The Spanish milled dollar, or quarter, was taken to the blacksmith, 
who. placing it on his anvil, with a cold chisel cut it into two, four, and some- 
times five pieces, keeping the fifth for toll and yet having four quarters left. 
Occasionally it was cut smaller and the names of the parts were quarters, 
bits and fips. Again one would then often hear the terms, eleven-penny bit 
and five-penny bit, hence ele\en-pence, fip-and-a-bit — undoubtedly derived 
from the English custom and l^rought into this country from Pennsylvania. 
After 1 812 this was prohibited. 



136 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

The name "Sharp-shins" arose from the sharp edges exposed after cut- 
ting on the anvil. Sharp-shins could not be well carried in the pocket, hence 
were carried in a leather bag or sack. 

Shortly after the beginning of the War of 1812 state banks were estab- 
lished in Ohio and shin-plasters (paper money) became the general medium 
of exchange, all other kinds of circulating mediums soon disappearing. 

FIRST BANKING IN THE COUNTY. 

The first bank established in Fayette county, at Washington C. H., was 
known as the Fayette County Bank, with James Pursell as its cashier. Its 
books were opened for business in October, 1858 — fifty-six years ago. It 
was located on the north side of Court street, near the western corner of 
Fayette street. It was housed in a small, one-story brick building, which 
stood on ground east of and adjoining that upon which the People's and 
Drovers' Bank of today stands. Later it ^^•as changed to the south side of 
Court street, in the second story of the brick building west of and adjoining 
what was then known as the Kirk House, now the Arlington Hotel block. 
There its business was transacted until 1867, its assets then being transferred 
to the First National Bank, that concern having purchased all interests and 
holdings in the pioneer banking house. 

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK. 

What was the First National Bank of Washington C. H. (now out of 
business as a corporation by that name) was organized by the election of a 
board of directors, as follows: Daniel McLean, Thomas B. Thornton, 
William McElwain, Anthony Allen. Curan Millikan, James Beatty and 
Charles Vanpelt. Afterward Daniel McLean was elected president and 
Thomas A. Claypoole was appointed cashier, he being the first really practical 
banker in the county. He had previously been connected with the old Fay- 
ette County Bank. The books of the First National Bank were opened for 
business in March, 1864, and hence it was one of the earliest in the country, 
as the act creating such banks was passed in January of that year. 

At the date of its organization this bank carried a capital of $75,000. 
Its paid-up capital, however, was only $50,000. The following year, in 
January, the capital was increased to $100,000, and in July, 1871. the paid-up 
capital of the concern was $200,000. By consent of the stockholders, in 
November, 1875, the business of the Fayette County National Bank was 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 137 

transferred and consolidated with that of the First National Bank, making 
its combined capital $300,000. In April, 1878, the First National was 
■changed to a private bank, and its charter surrendered to the government. 
The newly organized concern was then styled, as now, the People's and 
Drovers' Bank. 

BANK OF FAYETTE. 

The Bank of Fayette (Pavey & Claypoole— Madison Pavey and Thomas 
A. Claypoole. special partners) commenced business February i. 1867, in 
rooms located on the south side of Court street. Pavey purchased Claypoole' s 
interest in this bank in February, 1870, and about one year later transferred 
the entire business to A. C. Johnson, who subsequently disposed of the same 
to the Fayette County National Bank. 

THE MERCHANTS AND FARMERS BANK. 

This institution was organized in January, 1872, by the election of 
directors as follows : M. Pavey, E. L. Ford, A. M. Stimson, J. W. Sayre, 
Henry Kirk, James Willis and George Dahl. M. Pavey was soon elected 
president, and Morris Sharp appointed cashier. This bank commenced busi- 
ness in April, 1872, on the north side of Court street, in the west room of 
what was known as the Wilson House. 

THE FAYETTE COUNTY BANK. 

This institution was established September 2, 1899, by William Worth- 
ington, with an original capital of $12,500, which has been increased to 
$100,000. The first officers were A. R. Creamer, president; W. E. Ire- 
land, vice-president; William Worthington, cashier. The present officers 
are: William Worthington, president; Dr. W. E. Ireland, vice-president; 
Robert Howatt, cashier; Fred O. Cline, assistant cashier. This bank does 
business in a leased building. It is an unincorporated bank and has been 
very successful in its transactions. It has an individual responsibility of 
$2,000,000. Having the confidence of the people, it has grown from its first 
inception, and is looked upon as one of the county's safest and strongest 
t)anking houses. 



138 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

THE WASHINGTON SAVINGS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY. 

This financial institution was established in April, 1907, by Charles IL 
Armstrong, with a capital of $25,000, which has been increased to $50,000. 
The date of its charter was April 10, 1907,' and was the first regular savings 
bank in Fayette county. It does business in a leased building. The first 
officers, as well as the present ones, are : George Jackson, president ; Jesse 
F. Cross and Reuben Rankin, vice-presidents; Frank A. Chafin, counsel; 
Charles U. Armstrong, secretary and treasurer. One of its last statements 
(September, 1914) shows their resources and responsibilities to be $463,- 
385.01. Of this amount there is $370,236 in loans and discounts; cash and 
due from other banks, $90,037. The earned surplus is $32,000, undivided 
profits, $3,420, and deposits, $377,889.01. 

THE COMMERCIAL BANK. 

This bank was established in 1883 and now has a capital of v$50,ooo. 
A. S. Ballard was, until his death, October 13, 19 14, its president. Its vice- 
presidents are H. B. Dahl and W. B. Sharp ; its cashier is W. P. Barnes. 

This institution is one of the county's solid financial houses, having in 
1 91 4 deposits amounting to over $500,000. Its surplus and undivided profits 
amount to $100,000, while its loans run high as $500,000. 

THE PEOPLES AND DROVERS BANK. 

Another of the pioneer institutions in Washington C. H. is the Drovers 
Bank, which was established as the successor to the old First National Bank, 
established in 1864. The Peoples and Drovers Bank dates its own history 
from 1878. The early history of its predecessor, the First National Bank, 
has already been given in this chapter. So it may truthfully ])e stated that 
the Peoples and Drovers Bank is the oldest banking house now doing busi- 
ness in the city or county. It is an unincorporated concern, but under the 
state laws is subject to inspection and regulation by the banking department 
of the state. No bank stands higher in this section of the commonwealth than 
does this pioneer institution. It is ably managed by safe, conservative busi- 
ness men who most thoroughly understand modern banking methods. Its 
stockholders are individually responsible in the aggregate of more than a 
million dollars. They now have a paid-up capital of $100,000 and a surplus 
of $30,000. One of the directors and stockholders, Frank Johnson, has 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I39 

been connected longer than any man in the county \\ith banking, beginning 
in this bank in 1873, and has never been absent for any length of time during 
all of these years. 

The present directors are Humphrey Jones, Frank Johnson, E. O. Mc- 
Cormick, William H. Thornton, Norman McLean. The officers are: Hum- 
phrey Jones, president; William H. Thornton, vice-president; Roy T. AIc- 
Clure, cashier. The bank had for its home until 1867 the center of lot No. 
18, facing Court (now Main) street, old National Bank site, and then moved 
to its present site, at the west quarter of lot No. 5, Court street. 

THE MIDLAND NATIONAL BANK. 

The Midland National Bank, at Washington C. H., is now the only 
national bank in Fayette county. It was organized in June, 1892, and has a 
capital of $50,000, with surplus and profits amounting to $56,662.67. It is 
the depository for Fayette county and the city of Washington C. H. Their 
statement for September 12, 1914, shows resources and lialiilities to the 
amount of $709,098.39. There were then deposits amounting to $552,435; 
circulation of $50,000; cash on hand, $36,715.65. 

The present officers are S. W. Cissna, president ; Josiah Hopkins, vice- 
president ; M. S. Daugherty. cashier ; Scott Hopkins, assistant cashier. The 
directors were S. W. Cissna, Scott Hopkins, Josiah Hopkins, Viola Stuckey 
and M. S. Daugherty. This is classed among the best institutions doing a 
banking business within Fayette county today. 

THE FARMERS BANK OF JEFFERSONVILLE. 

The Farmers Bank of Jefifersonville is an unincorporated concern, or- 
ganized or established in 1893, with a capital of $20,000, same as it is now 
carrying; the surplus, however, is now $20,000. The deposits amount to (in 
October, 19 14) $207,850.53. The amount of loans were $197,232.65. 

The organizers of this bank were Henry L. Hire. J. R. A^anorsdall, Ira 
D. Booco, Nathan Creamer, Eli Mock, James P. Font, Eli Smith, Jacob 
Bush, John A. Barrett, D. W. Kessler, A. R. Creamer. At first the officers 
were elected as follows : J. R. Vanorsdall, president ; Ira D. Booco, vice- 
president ; S. M. Taggart, cashier. The officers are now : Nathan Creamer, 
president ; Eli Mock and J. R. Vanorsdall, \'ice-presidents ; G. FI. Garlough, 
cashier ; Louis A. Kessler, assistant cashier. The banking house is situated 
on the corner of Main and High streets and is a brick structure. A few 



140 FAYETTE COL^NTY, OHIO. 

years since it suffered loss by a fire, which destroyed the large plate-glass 
front windows. This institution is in a flourishing condition and has the 
confidence of the entire community, both in and outside the village of Jeffer- 
sonville. 

citizens' bank of jeffersonville. 

The Citizens Bank was organized at Jeffersonville in the autumn of 
1906, with a capital of v$25,ooo, the same as it now has. Its surplus is now 
$5,000 and its deposits amount to $175,000. It was the first banking con- 
cern in Fayette county to establish a savings department, which today is a 
prominent feature of its business transactions. This bank was organized by 
Ira D. Booco and Silas M. Taggart. The original officers were : Ira D. 
Booco, president ; E. L. Janes, vice-president ; Joseph Straley, vice-president ; 
Silas M. Taggart, cashier. The officers in 1914 are: President, Joseph 
Straley ; vice-presidents, N. C. Wilcox and Frank Snodgrass ; cashier, Silas 
M. Taggart. 

The latest report on this bank shows that it is flourishing and its com- 
mercial and savings departments are operated in an up-to-date manner. The 
efficient cashier, Mr. Taggart, has been engaged in banking at Jeffersonville 
for thirty years, and has trained several young men in the business who now 
hold excellent positions of trust in various cities of the country. 

the farmers bank of good hope. 

The Farmers Bank of Good Hope was organized as a state banking 
concern in 1910 by William Thomas Steers. Its first officers were: Presi- 
dent, E. D. King; vice-president, Isaac Cory; second vice-president, S. B. 
Hoppes; directors, George T. Moore, W. T. Stears, R. J. Holdren. S. E. 
Boggs, A. H. Taylor. 

The 1914 officers and directors are: E. D. King, president; William 
Thomas Steers, cashier; directors, S. B. Hoppes, H. D. Johnson, W. T. 
Steers, R. J. Holden, H. C. Smalley, S. F. Boggs. 

The original and present capital stock is $25,000. It was chartered in 
1910 under the laws of Ohio. It owns its own fine brick banking house, 
erected at a cost of about $3,700. The condition of the bank today is ex- 
cellent. From August, 1913, to August, 1914, there were seventy-two new 
accounts opened in this bank. Safety deposit boxes are for rent. 

Three per cent, per annum is paid on deposits left at this place for a 
stipulated time. The August 4, 19 14, statement, as shown in the reports 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I4I 

made to the state banking department, shows this bank to have had at that 
date resources and habihties amounting to $95,818.83. The loans and dis- 
counts amounted to $78,668.41 ; deposits, $65,069. 84. 

THE MILLEDGEVILLE BANK. 

The Milledgeville Bank, located at Milledgeville, Jasper township, was 
organized in 1903. Its first ol^cers were: C. E. Ford, president; W. E. 
Smith, cashier. There were twenty stockh.olders, with a personal responsi- 
bility of $500,000. The officers at this date (fall of 1914) are: R. H. 
Fichthorn. president; W. E. Smith, cashier, with Fern Fichthorn, assistant 
cashier. 

At first the capital w^as $4,125, which has been increased to $20,000. It 
is purely a private banking house. It suffered loss by a fire that occurred in 
the town April 13, 19 12, but immediately resumed its business. 

PEOPLES BANK OF BLOOMINGBURG. 

This is a private concern, and did not see fit to furnish the author with 
data. It made a showdng of resources and liabilities in 1912 of $110,196. 

THE I912 FINANCIAL SHOWaNG. 

The reports of the various banks in Fayette county in 191 2 made the 
following showing: Total amount in resources and liabilities, $3,487,712.40. 
This amount was divided among the banks as follows: Midland National 
Bank, $645,096; Commercial Bank, $557,275; Washington Savings Bank 
and Trust Company, $402,166; Fayette County Bank, $545,767; Peoples 
and Drovers Bank, $681,087; Farmers Bank of Jeffersonville, $206,112; 
Citizens Bank of Jeffersonville, $169,552; Peoples Bank, Bloomingburg, 
$110,196; Farmers Bank of Good Hope, $73,172. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE NEWSPAPERS OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 

The newspaper press is universally conceded to be one of the greatest 
civilizing influences in the world. This is more especially true in modern 
years, since the daily papers and the magazines and all descriptions of class 
journals have so greatly increased in numbers. Today the farmer in remote 
portions of the country may ha\e, and. if an intelligent, reading, thinking 
man, usually has, his daily paper delivered at his very door by the govern- 
ment's free rural delivery carrier system. By this means he is as much in 
touch with the great busy world about him as though he lived in the town or 
city. He keeps well abreast with the markets, the war news and important 
events in all parts of the world, for the telegraph, cable and wireless now 
send news from the furtherest parts of the globe. Things happening in 
China and Africa are printed in American newspapers the same day or the 
day following on which they occur. In the early history of Fayette county 
this was not possible. The weekly paper was lacking for a decade or two 
after the county's organization, and when one was established it was a far 
different sheet from the fresh, newsy paper that greets the eye of the present- 
day reader. Really, the news columns were very old and uninteresting, for 
events happening one month were not made known to the people on the 
other side of the globe until the month following, as such news had to be 
sent by sailing boat from one country to another in those davs. But now 
the intelligence is flashed by electric current o\er the submarine cable, in al- 
most a moment's time, and is then quickly put in type by type-setting ma- 
chines and run off into printed pages by means of rapid steam presses, with 
paper-folder and mailer attachments. Vast has been the change in fifty 
years in the art of printing, especially as relating to the publication of news- 
papers. 

Fayette county's first newspaper was issued Saturday, February 21, 
1829, by Joel S. Bereman, who styled his pioneer journal Freedom's Ach'o- 
cate. Mr. Bereman came here from Highland county, where he had been 
taught the printing business, as known in those times. He conducted an out- 
and-out Whig political paper and thoroughly believed in the teachings of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1 43 

that party, which later was superseded by the present Repiibhcan party. This 
paper would not be called much of a newspaper today, but at that time was 
welcomed with delight at the firesides of this county. Its subscription was 
usually paid in rags, feathers, bees-wax, tallow, flour, sugar, bacon, oats, 
wheat, and deer-skins, at the rate of two dollars per year. Thirty-odd years 
ago the only known copy of this i)aper ( which was established eighty-five 
years ago, before a mile of railroad was built in this country, but in which 
paper the Baltimore & Ohio railway was being talked of) was in the hands 
of Mrs. M. V. Logan, a daughter of the proprietor of the Advocate. It had 
been preserved carefully under a glass frame, and of course was highly 
prized. 

FURTHER NEWSPAPER HISTORY. 

From old historical works of this county and from well-written accounts 
of the various newspapers by the ready pen of M. Hebert, a resident of the 
county, we are permitted to draw for an account of all the earlier publications 
in Fayette county, which here follows : 

The second newspaper venture was that of the paper styled the People's 
PaUadiuin (meaning "safe-guard of liberty*'), which was launched some 
time in 1831, by Arthur Critchfield, who had purchased the pioneer paper of 
A\hich mention has already been made — the Bereman paper. It now became 
a Democratic journal and nothing further is now known of its history, other 
than that in the autumn of 1832 the office was sold, passing into the hands 
of S. F. ^\)eman and S. Lydy, who immediately commenced the publication 
of the JJ\isIiinc/foii Herald, which was still a Democratic organ, Mr. Yoeman 
doing most of the editorial work. For a time the paper had the double name 
of Herald and Fayette County Register. The name of S. Lydy appeared at 
its head as proprietor, while that of William Hill appeared as printer and 
publisher. Its columns were very short of news items, but w'ell filled with 
sundry kinds of advertising. In one of its issues an account w^as given of the 
exhibitions of the Siamese tw^ins at Stockdale's inn, Washington C. H. In 
June, 1834, it was in the hands of Hill Sz Baird as publishers and they were 
champions for the \\ hig cause. It ga^•e an account of big Whig mass-meet- 
ings at the old court house. In November, 1834, the Herald (third volume) 
was in the hands of Robert R. Lindsey, as publisher and printer. It was still 
a Whig organ. It continued publication until about 1835 and then suspended. 

The Genius of Liberty, a Democratic paper, w^as established in Wash- 
ington C. H. in 1834, by J. M. Morgan. Its issue in November, 1834, glori- 
fied the result of the fall election, the main issue being the re-charteringf of 



J 44 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the United States Bank, ^Yh^ch had been favored by the Whig party in that 
campaign. Papers of those days seemed not to think about local news, but 
lived on the political campaigns, and mourned when election was over be- 
cause the\' were schooled to think politics was all the people cared to read 
about. In Mav, 1835, the paper bore the immense title of Genius of Liberty 
and Democrat Republican and had for its sub-head motto, "Unawed by the 
influence of the rich, the great or the noble, the people must be heard, and 
their rights vindicated." At that date the names of J. Jamison and W. Loof- 
borrow are given as proprietors, and Williaiii Hill as printer and editor. 
Its tone, politically, was then Democratic. 

A SPICY CAMPAIGN PAPER. 

The Political Hornet was the name of a political organ established for 
campaign purposes in 1836, and supported Gen. William Henry Harrison 
for President. Robert Robinson and J. S. Bereman were editorial con- 
tributors. Up to 1836 Fayette county had always gone Democratic, but that 
year was changed to Whig, which party elected every officer. 

The Circulator, another publication, printed its first number January 20, 
1838. It was "published simultaneously in Washington C. H. and London, 
in the legislative district composed of Fayette and Madison," being delivered 
in London, by private express, on the same day of issue. It was then the 
only paper published within the limits of the district. Elisha Williams Sex- 
ton was its proprietor. While it was a Whig organ, it was quite independent 
and neutral in politics, generally speaking. This paper spoke of printers 
being so scarce in Ohio that many young girls were being taught to set type, 
including one in the Circulator office. April 14, 1838, there appeared an item 
concerning an "Act to abolish imprisonment for debt" in the state of Ohio. 
About that date this paper had the following notice: "No man, henceforth, 
can be heard through our columns unless he be a yearly subscriber. Some 
of these times we will publish a communication precisely as it is sent to us." 
It is not known how long the Circulator continued to circulate! 

The Fayette Republican was established in December, 1839, by R. R. 
Lindsey and was published in Wilmington, Clinton county. It was a radical 
Whig organ. In writing of a new publication at Louisville, Kentucky, the 
editor of this paper remarked, "The publication of a new paper called the 
JVhiskey Barrel is soon to be established at Louisville; its object is to make 
war upon all temperance laws and temperance societies.'' He then adds 
"Wesley Roberts & Co. will preside over the bung-hole and spigot." 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I45 

The Washingtonian was established in July, 1840, under the editorship 
of J. S. Bereman and E. W. Sexton, who opposed the bill then before Con- 
gress creating two hundred thousand militia. The point was made that it 
was not democratic and must not be tolerated. It supported Tom Corwin 
for governor of Ohio, the ticket being surmounted by a log cabin, with a 
"hard cider'" barrel alongside. Later, this paper was edited by Harvey C. 
Blackman and he supported Henry Clay for President. It passed through 
several men's hands and was published from 1840 to 1847, ^^^^ then sus- 
pended. John W. Poff was its last proprietor and editor. 

The Sfa,r Spangled Banner was established in the autumn of 1846, by 
W. H. H. Thompson, who in its first issue mentions the then newly published 
work, Henry Howe's "Historical Collections of Ohio." This paper plant 
employed much of the printing office material formerly used by the Wash- 
ingtonian, above named. 

John L. Scott published a newspaper in this county some years prior to 
1849, '^^it its name is now forgotten. 

The Fayette Nezv Era was established in the spring of 1850 by Editor 
George B. Gardner. Its local columns spoke of the first sewing machine 
ever brought to Fayette county, as having been the Wilson machine, brought 
to Washington C. H. in May, 1852, by Clarence Parin, a tailor. The Era 
was published until the spring of 1855, and was succeeded by the Washing- 
ton Register, under E. B. Pearce and J. C. D. Hanna, who issued the first 
number of their paper March 15, 1855. It was "independent in all things 
and neutral in nothing." This was the first attempt, in this county, to pro- 
duce a first-class local news page, and the files of the paper show how well 
the editors succeeded. Mr. Hanna sold the paper to his partner in 1857, and 
Pearce continued it till his death in 1864. 

The Ohio State Register was established directly after the paper last 
named. It was established by Samuel Pike, who conducted it as a Democratic 
organ. After six months he sold to W. C. Gould, who continued to advocate 
Democratic doctrines until April. 1873. In 1871 the name was changed to 
that of Register and People's Advocate, with the motto, "That nation is most 
prosperous where labor commands the greatest reward." Its chief hobbies 
were oppositions to monopolies and middlemen. On April 24, 1873, PI. H. 
Simmons and W. A. Beasley succeeded Gould, and they changed the name 
back to Ohio State Register and continued to run it as a Democratic sheet. 
In 1875 Beasley assumed sole management until October of that year, when 
he died at the old Shaw hotel. The administrator, D. I. Worthington, sold 
(10) 



146 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the plant to H. V. Kerr, then a Democratic state senator, who suddenly died 
in 18S1. At the date of his death he was state librarian. The publication of 
the paper was continued by his son, J. D. Kerr. Later it was owned by Os- 
wall Smith, then by J. R. Marshall and Robert Palmer. In 1899 it was sold to 
Barrett & Terry. In 1902 it was sold to Joseph H. Harper, and in 1910 was 
taken over by the Herald Publishing Company. Its politics is now Demo- 
cratic. It circulates in Fayette and adjoining counties and is known as an 
up-to-the-minute local newspaper. 

Tlie Fayette County Herald was commenced in December, 1858, by 
William Millikan, and on November 26, 1868, W. W. Millikan, his son, was 
admitted to partnership. This was the first regular Republican paper estab- 
lished in Fayette county, and has been influential with all the passing years 
in support of the party and the general local upbuilding of the county seat 
and county. 

The News was established by W. C. Gould and Frank M. Jones in the 
second story of McLean's block, opposite the court house, June 3, 1874. It 
claimed to be "independent upon all subjects — opposed to all monopolies." 
Gould sold his interest to Jones in 1874, and Jones continued until March, 
1876, then moved the plant to Mount Sterling, where, after four months, it 
suspended publication. After the material of the office had been moved to 
various points, it finally landed at Jeffersonville, this county, where, in Octo- 
ber, 1880, A. Voigt established the Chronicle, which was the pioneer paper of 
that place. It suspended publication about 1890. 

The Church of Christ Adzfocate (for the Primitive Christian Union), 
published at Washington C. H., was established in September, 1907, by J. H. 
McKibban. It was originally published at Spring V^alley, Greene county. Ohio, 
but removed to its present location in 1909. In 19 12 a company was formed 
known as The Church of Christ Advocate Publishing Company, which is an 
incorporated concern. It is a six-column, four-page i:mper, run by electric 
motor presses. It is strictly a religious newspaper and is the special organ 
of the Church of Christ. It circulates in all parts of the United States. Its 
day of publication is Thursday. At this date its corresponding editors are 
Rev. H. C. Leeth, Rev. G. C. McKibban and Everett A. Keaton. 

The Washington Daily Herald was established in 1885 by William Milli- 
kan & Son. It was published by the Millikan family until 191 o, when it was 
purchased by the Herald Publishing Company. The president of this cor- 
poration is W. W. Millikan; vice-president and general manager, Joseph H. 
Harper, with Charles H. Parrott as secretary and treasurer. It is indepen- 
dent in politics and is the only paper between Cincinnati and Columbus carry- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I47 

ing the Associated Press dispatches. It is a daily, six-cokimn, eight-page 
paper, using electric motor power. Its job department is especially well 
equipped for all up-to-date work. It prints all the daily news of Fayette 
county, the state and the nation, so far as it relates to decent matter. It goes 
to the home fireside, and is welcomed each day as a real news-letter. 

The Horse Journal, of Washington C. H., was established by a company 
and is a consolidation of the old Kentucky Stock Farm and the Horse Jour- 
nal, the former of Lexington. Kentucky, and the latter of Jamestown, Ohio. 
The present journal is one of sixteen pages, issued each week in the year. It 
has a circulation in all parts of the United States and Canada, as well as in 
England. It is devoted to horse interests exclusively. It is printed at the 
Record-Republican office. 

The Jefferson Citizen, a Democratic paper, was established in August. 
1884, by Dr. L. A. Elster. He was succeeded in 1888 by L. C. Fults, and he 
was followed for a time by D. W. Callihan in 1896, and in 1903 it became the 
property of the Citizen Publishing Company. It is a six-column quarto, run 
on a gasoline-power press and circulates in Fayette, Greene and Madison 
counties. Its day of publication is Thursday and its annual subscription 
price is one dollar. A good, modern equipped job department is run in con- 
nection with this newspaper. 

The pioneer paper here was perhaps the Chronicle, that suspended about 
1890. 

THE RECORD-REPUBLICAN. 

The Record-Republican is a semi-weekly paper, published at Washing- 
ton C. H. Its history runs back many years, and its connecting papers have 
already been mentioned in this chapter. For a time it was semi-weekly, then 
changed to weekly, then again went to a semi-weekly publication under its 
present management in 1913. From what was known as the Record Pub- 
lishing Company, it was sold to a stock company, incorporated with J. H. 
Williams as president ; A. P. Williams, secretary and treasurer, with other 
stockholders. E. R. Williams, S. A. Evans and D. E. Warren. This com- 
pany took the property over in July, 191 1. It is now published on Tuesday 
and Friday of each week and is a six-column, eight-page paper, which often 
runs twenty pages in busy seasons. Politically, it is Republican. It is run 
on power presses propelled by gas engines. Its job department is complete 
in every particular. It also prints the Horse Journal, for its publishers, each 
week. 



14^ FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

THE ADVERTISER. 

This is a daily journal devoted to local news and business interests of 
Fayette county and especially the county-seat town. It was established 
about 1905 by Joseph Gest, who, in 191 3, sold to the Galvin Publishing 
Company, who made it a semi-weekly paper, and later a daily. In May, 
1914, it was taken over by the Record-Republican Company, who still issue 
it daily. It was coupled with the Daily Nezvs, established October 11, 1913, 
by Mr. Williams, and hence is known as the N czvs- Advertiser . and is pub- 
lished by the Record-Republican Company. 

On September 17, 1879, T. F. Gardner established Tlie Fayette Repiih- 
lican, as an organ of the Republican party. In its opening announcement it 
stated, "As a journalist, it shall be the aim to chronicle all the local events of 
town and county, of which we may become cognizant, be they good or bad." 

PRESENT NEWSPAPERS OF THE COUNTY. 

A recent newspaper directory gives the following on the Fayette county 
papers : 

Washington C. H. papers — Churcli of Clirist Advocate: established 1906: 
Rev. J. H. McKibban, proprietor. Fayette Advertiser, daily; Republican; 
circulation, 3,000. Herald, dailv, established in 1885; circulation. 1,527. 
Horse Journal, Charles Allen, proprietor; established in 1907; circulation, 
6,286. Ohio State Register, weekly; established 1836; Joseph H. Harper; 
Democratic; circulation, 2,000. Reeord-Republican; established 1879, a semi- 
weekly; circulation, 3.500. 

Jeffersonville — The Citi::en, weekly; established in 1884; L. O. Fultz; 
Democratic ; circulation. 800. 

NEWSPAPERS IN OHIO. 

Number daily papers in 1909 184 

Number of Sunday papers 25 

Number semi and tri-weekly 60 

Number weekly 699 

Number monthly 152 

Number quarterly 37 

All other publications 24 

Total in state (1909) 1,181 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I49 

THE FIRST PRINTING PRESS IN FAYETTE COUNTY. 

In concluding- the chapter on the press of this county, perhaps no better, 
more historic item can possibly be inserted than to give what a former history 
has published concerning the county's pioneer printing office, its press and 
material and how they were operated, showing as it will the great change in 
the "art preservative" that has taken place with the passing of eighty-five 
years : 

"In the old Register office, which paper long ago ceased to be, there stood 
for some years, after Edgar B. Pearce took editorial control of that estab- 
lishment, the first printing press brought to Washington C. H. It was shipped> 
from Chillicothe, to which point it had years before been transported from 
Philadelphia. Its history was known to an old employe of the Franklin 
Type Foundry, of Cincinnati, who in 1858 happened to see it here while 
engaged in business pursuit. It was afterward shipped to that institution, 
and was there many years, possibly still held by their successors, as a price- 
less printing relic. It was a very quaint looking institution. Its frame w^as 
of mahogany. On it Judge Bereman printed and executed, for the time, 
much artistic work, and from its bed there rose and spread thoughts sarcastic 
and severe, and many truths which bore good fruit soaring therefrom. Glad 
tidings, and sad as well, emanated from its platen impress — yea, much of joy 
and woe, of mirth and sorrow, through its lever power, was scattered. 

"On that first printing press used here, it required two pulls to complete 
the impression of one side of the paper, each page of the form being run 
imder the platen separately. Then two hundred and fifty to three hundred 
sheets or impressions per hour was considered quite rapid work, but today, 
in the Herald office, with the power press facilities, one thousand sheets per 
hour can be printed. The size of the newspapers published here was eighteen 
by twenty-six inches; today they are twenty-eight by forty-four inches. Of 
reading matter one paper of today will contain as much as six did then ; yet 
the subscription price was greater than now." 



CHAPTER XT. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



In all ages of the world, among civilized and uncivilized peoples. -the 
medical profession has heen in high esteem, whether it be the learned pro- 
fessor, who has studied the real science of medicine in all its branches, or the 
"great medicine man" of the untutored savages, who from actual experience 
has made discoveries of the healing powers of herbs and roots; honor has 
awaited them on every hand, while the life and death of every human has been 
virtually placed in their keeping". The weary patient lying upon a bed of pain^ 
and the no less weary watcher, wait anxiously for the coming of the good 
doctor, who. upon his arrival, notes every physical indication or expression 
of countenance for a ray of hope. He administers what his knowledge of 
medicine tells him is best in the special case at hand. The work of the phy- 
sician cannot be measured by dollars and cents, and the long years required 
in preparing himself are all necessary. 

As to the progress of medical science, let it be stated that the last fifty 
years have seen vast changes in the treatment of diseases, and nowhere is 
this advancement more noticeable than in America. Our numerous medical 
colleges have sent forth men of excellence, and today we have, as a general 
rule, first-class physicians and surgeons in every community. Our hospitals 
vie with any in the old world. Especially in dentistry and surgery is this 
change very striking. The doctor is a necessity, and he frequently has many 
bad accounts on his books, but if he be a true physician he slights not the 
poorest in the community in which he practices. Should the science progress 
in the next half century as in the last fifty years, a wonderful degree of ex- 
cellence will certainly exist at that date. All men must die, but many need 
not go to premature graves if medical aid be rendered at the proper time. 

FIRST AND EARLY DOCTORS. 

Thomas McGara, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Fayette county in 
the autumn oi 1812 and was the first to practice medicine in this county. 
Plis family consisted of wife and two children, Joseph and Jane. Doctor 
McGara \\ as a great fa\orite with the pioneer settlers ; was elected to the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I5I 

Legislature, serving in such capacity six years. He died at the age of eighty- 
eight years, his faculties holding out until almost his last hour. He was the 
uncle of Judge Daniel McLean, the latter being his sister's child. While 
singular in ways, he was a bright, deliberate and exceedingly popular man 
and doctor. 

The second physician in the county was Doctor Baldridge (some place 
him before McGara). He came here about 1811. He was both minister and 
doctor of medicine. He w^as a Presbyterian in his religious faith. He had 
a wife and one child. 

The third, or next, physician here was Dr. Benjamin Hinton, who was 
a man of rare ability. He came from Highland county in 1818. He mar- 
ried, in this county. Rachel Stimpson. He was an energetic and upright 
man, noted for his kindness. He was also a member of the Ohio Legislature 
fron:; this district; also county treasurer (collector). In 1838 he moved to 
Peru. Indiana, where he died in the seventies. 

Other early physicians were Drs. L. and B. Rush, sons of pioneer Will- 
iam Rush, of Union township. 

OTHER PHYSICIANS. 

Drs. A. Worley and A. W. Brown, with office in the drug store of 
Brown & Worley, announced that they were "fully prepared to treat diseases 
cf all kinds, both chronic and acute, on either the botanic or mineral system." 

Dr. O A. Allen, druggist, was born in New Jersey, July 21. 1825. His 
parents and family moved to Ohio in 1831. The Doctor was a member of 
the Masonic order and of the Baptist church. He was clerk of the village 
of Washington C. H. at one time. He studied at Granville College, com- 
pleting his course at the Cleveland Medical College in 1854, commencing his 
practice in the spring of that year. 

Dr. Henry F. Coffman, druggist and physician, was born in Brown 
county, Ohio, August 4, 1823. His father was a native of Kentucky and his 
mother of Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio about 1800 v/ith a family of 
seven children, four sons and two daughters. The Doctor was a member of 
the Masonic fraternity and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
He successfully practiced medicine for many years at Washington C. H. He 
was an extensive druggist. It is said that he was one of the most careful 
and best posted druggists in all Ohio. He graduated from Starling College 
of Medicine. Columbus, in 1850. He first practiced medicine at Good Hope, 
this county, without horse, saddle or bridle, beginning with but twenty-five 



152 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

cents in his possession. He had accumulated over forty thousand dollars 
by 1880, but in one deal had all taken from him; however, he set about to 
retrieve his fortune and finally became well circumstanced, having one of the 
finest medical and drug practices of any in Fayette county. 

Dr. S. S. Salisbury, another physician of Washington C. H., was born 
in Georgetown, Ohio, in January, 1848, being one of nine in his father's fam- 
ily which came to Ohio in 1810. He was a member of the Masonic order 
and identified with the Odd Fellows. Both he and his estimable wife were 
members of the Presbyterian church. He obtained his education at Lebanon, 
Ohio, and at Peru. Illinois. He studied medicine with Dr. W. H. McGrana- 
ghan. of Maysville, Kentucky. He attended medical lectures in Philadelphia, 
at Hahnemann Aledical College, from which institution he graduated in 
March, 1873. He began his practice at Washington C. H. in May, 1873, 
continuing many years. 

Dr. C. M. Wilson, physician at Washington C. H., was a native of 
Northampton, Pennsylvania, born in 1845. He enlisted in August, 1864, as 
a Union soldier in Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry; was wounded in his first engagement, at Franklin, Ten- 
nessee, and in November, 1864, had his second finger of his riglit hand shot 
off; also received flesh wounds in his thigh. He was discharged in May, 
1865. That fall he entered the South Salem Academy, where he remained 
until the fall of 1868, then commenced his medical studies under Doctor 
Looker, of Cincinnati, graduating from Aliami Medical College in March, 
1 87 1. He began practice in Washington C. H. and followed the profession 
several years. 

Doctor Hazen came to Plymouth in 1846, but his sojourn was brief on 
account of his bad character, living as he was with a woman not his lawful 
wife. The moral community would not tolerate him and he wisely removed. 

Between 1863 and 1865 Dr. A. J. Gaskin located at Plymouth, and re- 
mained imtil 1868. 

The next physician at Plymouth was Doctor Spangler, who came from 
Milledgeville in 1870, bought property and remained until 1881. then returned 
to Milledgeville. 

Doctor Cully was the first physician in Milledgeville, locating there in 
1863, remained three years and moved to Plymouth. 

Dr. A. J. Gaskin, in 1865, opened an office at Milledgeville, but later 
removed to Plymouth, where he remained in practice until 1868. 

At ]\Iartinsburg, one of the pioneer doctors was J. S. Jones, who was at 
one time engaged m mercantile business at that place. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I 53 

Dr. Abraham Baker was a native of Kentucky, where he spent his 
youthful days. He attended Augusta (Kentucky) College, and graduated at 
the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. Soon afterw^ard he began practicing 
medicine at Dover, Kentucky; next we find him practicing at Hillsborough, 
where he remained nine years, then removed to Winchester, Indiana, spent 
ten years there, thence to Frankfort. Ohio. He remained in practice there 
six years, then settled at Good Hope, where he continued in the practice. In 
his younger days he was a traveling preacher in the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

Dr. James F. Wilson, who died in the seventies or early eighties, was 
an important factor at New Holland, this county, a part of which is within 
the borders of Pickaway county. He was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, in 
October, 1808, his early years having been spent on his father's farm. At the 
age of twenty-one years he was sent to Greenfield, Highland county, and 
there commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Daniel 
Robbins. He finally secured a diploma, and immediately settled at New Hol- 
land, of which town he w^as the first practicing physician. Later he entered 
Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating with a fine record. He then 
returned to New^ Holland, where he followed his profession the balance of 
his days. He had a large clientele and made friends on every hand. He suc- 
ceeded in a financial way and was possessed of a handsome fortune. He had 
an enviable reputation as a fine surgeon. For a time during the Civil War he 
was located at Camp Chase, Ohio, in the capacity of surgeon. He was not a 
church member, but practiced every-day Christianity and was a liberal giver 
to all good causes. He gave free of charge his medical services to every 
member of tlie tv/o companies that enlisted from his neighborhood to enter 
the Union cause. Their families he sacredly agreed to treat free while the 
men w^ere at the front, and this he did. For a quarter of a century he was 
afflicted with heart trouble, and finally, on January 21, 1875, this malady 
caused his death. His son was Hon. John M. Wilson, so well known over 
Ohio as a brilliant lawyer and statesman. He was appointed by General 
Grant, while President, as consul to Bremen ; later servinsr at Hambure- 
After this experience, he was sent to Panama to represent the United States. 

Concerning some of the physicians at Waterloo, let it be stated that 
Doctor Dilley was the first to practice in that place. He located there in 
1842, but remained only a brief period. 

Following him came Doctor Freeman, of London, Madison county, 
who continued there about four years. 

Dr. Tobias Haskins came in about the same date of Doctor Dillev's de- 



154 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

partnre and remained until i860, remoA'ing to Licking county. About this 
time Doctor Clee\'e located at Waterloo, remained a number of years and 
then went to Illinois. 

Dr. V. H. Gaskill commenced practice in Waterloo about the close of 
the Civil War and was still in practice in the eighties. 

Other physicians of the past were Doctors Goldsberry, Harlow and 
Culy. Also Doctor Martin, the first to locate in Madison township, who was 
from New England. He opened his office at Yankeetown. remained five 
years, then removed to Bloomingburg, continuing until 1854, when he moved 
to McClain county, Illinois. 

Dr. J. N. Clark came from Harrisburg, Ohio, in the spring of 1873, 
locating at Buena Vista, Green township. After one year he opened his 
office at Madison Mills, where in the nineties he was enjoying an extensive 
medical practice. 

In 1881 these physicians were practicing in the county: Drs. A. and 
J. L. Worley, C. A. Foster, H. L. Smith, C. M. Wilson, S. A. Salisbury and 
O. H. Saxton. 

Dr. Francis Marion Black, deceased, practiced in Washington C. H. 
from 1874 until within a few months of his death. He was born in Pickaway 
county, Ohio, studied medicine under Doctor Brown, of Circleville, and began 
the practice of medicine at a A'illage in Pickaway county known as Darbyville, 
where he remained in constant practice for just twenty-five years, then moved 
to Washington C. H., where the remainder of his life was spent, dying 
January 22, 1902, aged about seventy-two years. For three years, while in 
Pickavi^ay county, he had for a student and partner Doctor Boggs, now of 
Good Hope. Doctor Black was highly successful both as a physician and 
surgeon. He also had the gift of accumulating property. He was wise in 
that he invested in land and left an estate of some four hundred acres in Pick- 
away county, the same still being held by his widow, whose maiden name 
was Mary J. Zimm, a native of Columbus, who married for her first husband 
Silas Ambrose in 1851. She married Doctor Black in 1853. Doctor Black 
and wife had no issue, and Mrs. Black, by her former marriage, was the 
mother of one daughter who died young. Doctor Black was well up in 
Masonry, belonging" to the thirty-second degree of that most ancient and 
honorable fraternity. Politically, he was a stanch Republican. He served 
his country during the Civil War, having been a captain in Company A, 
Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served one year and was honorably 
discharged upon his resignation. He served as acting colonel of his regiment 
at difi^erent times, in the a1>sence of the regular colonel. Mrs. Black still re- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I 55 

sides ill the old homestead on North street, where the Doctor first located 
upon removing- to Washington C. H. in 1884. 

Dr. James Hinton, "the thumbless doctor," as he was known, for, be- 
sides his being a dwarf in stature and humped-backed, he had no thumb on 
either hand, was of the regular school of medicine and had good success here 
from an early day on to later years. He it was who originally owned the 
old Doctor Wilson residence property, now owned and occupied by Doctor 
Wilson's daughter, Mrs. Jarred Millikan, at the corner of North and Court 
streets. He was married and reared seven children. His wife became in- 
sane and was kept in a small room in the residence just named and many cjueer 
stories are related of her strange actions. It was an unfortunate case, in 
which the Doctor had the sympathy of the community. It was 1841 when he 
sold the property above mentioned, but he remained here several years after 
that; he finally went West, and was lost sight of to Fayette county people. 
It is stated by Airs. Mary Millikan that he was a good doctor and was fre- 
quently associated with her father, Dr. J. G. Wilson. From a former history 
published for this county, it is learned that this Doctor Hinton was the brother 
of Benjamin Hinton, probably Fayette county's third physician. Dr. James 
Hinton, it is stated, removed to McLean county, Illinois, where he was still 
practicing as late as 1881. He was a success financially and accumulated a 
handsome competency, at one time owning fourteen hundred acres of valu- 
able land in Illinois. 

Dr. Felix H. Knott, physician and surgeon of Washington C. H., was 
born in this county, February 21, 1851, son of Ananias Knott, who was from 
Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Ohio about 1845. Felix was married in 
1 87 1, to Samantha De Witt. He received his education in Cincinnati, at 
the Eclectic Medical College, from which he graduated in 1871. He had 
commenced the practice of medicine in 1869, at Monticello, Illinois, and there 
continued for about three years. After he settled in Washington C. H. he 
continued a regular practitioner. He really commenced the reading of medi- 
cine when twelve years of age, with his father, who was a prominent doctor 
of his day and generation, at Monticello, Illinois. He soon built up a large 
and respectable practice here and was widely known and very successful in 
his calling. 

Dr. W. E. Ireland, now the oldest practitioner in Washington C. H., 
came here in 1887. He was born near Bloomington, Illinois, in 1852. His 
parents removed to Fayette county when he was but a small lad. He was 
reared in Favette and Ross counties. He obtained a good education and taught 
school for seven years, and finally chose medicine as his profession. He studied 



156 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

under Dr. A. Ogar. at Sedalia, Ohio, and graduated from Starling Medical 
•College with the class of 1882; practiced five years at Leesburg, Highland 
county, Ohio, and moved to Washington C. H. in 1887, since which time he 
has ranked among the best, most careful and honorable members of the 
medical fraternity. He married, in 1882, Florence I. Carr, of Jeffersonville, 
Ohio, by whom two daughters and one son were born, all now married and 
settled in homes of their own. Politically, the doctor is a Democrat. He has 
held numerous non-paying offices, including member of the board of educa- 
tion, a place he has ably filled for about ten years. He is a member of Grace 
Methodist Episcopal church, of wdiich he is the present president of the board 
■of stewards. In fraternal affairs, he is well up in Masonry, being a Knight 
Templar. In a financial way, the Doctor has succeeded and is the vice-presi- 
dent of the Fayette County Bank. He is placed in the list of best citizens 
and physicians in the county, where he has resided more than twenty-seven 
years. 

Dr. S. A. Ireland, a brother of the above, was born in 1848 in Ohio, and 
died in Washington C. H. in January, 191 1, of pneumonia. He never mar- 
ried ; was a most excellent physician and had a faculty of winning the con- 
fidence and esteem of all who knew him. His death was a great loss to the 
profession and the community. He taught school in young manhood twelve 
years and after graduating from Starling Medical College located at Martins- 
ville, Ohio, then in Leesburg in 1887, coming to Washington C. H. in 1889. 
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Masonic order. 
There was no night too dark and stormy to deter him from making his pro- 
fessional calls, and really this extreme exposure was what finally caused his 
death. He was a man of honor, modest, retiring and studious. He was a 
wonderful worker and never lost sight of advanced theories in medicine and 
gave his patients the best that his reading and practice afforded. 

From Dr. W. E. Ireland's memory, the following facts concerning men 
of whom he has had knowledge since his coming here in 1887, have been 
gleaned : 

In 1887 Doctor Lowry was in practice at Washington C. H. He mar- 
died a sister of Dr. S. S. Salisbury, moved West and has ])een lost sight of. 

Doctor Ustick was also here in 1887, later sold his practice to Dr. 
Rogers, of Greenfield, Ohio. Doctor Ustick went from here to Boise City, 
Idaho, where he still practices medicine. Doctor Rogers moved to Honolulu, 
Hawaii. 

Doctor Moorehouse located here about 1887, remained a year or two and 
Temoved. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 157 

Dr. O. H. Saxton moved from here to Topeka, Kansas, in 1887, and died 
there a few years later. 

Doctor Teeters, father of Dr. Charles Teeters, located here in the 
eighties, and died here. 

Doctor Roberts came in prior to 1887 and practiced until his death. He 
was an excellent physician and an honored citizen of the city. 

Doctor Hall came here ^ from Good Hope in the eighties, and died years 
later of consumption. 

Dr. Joseph Williams and his father practiced medicine in Washington 
C. H. many years, and were eminent in their profession. 

Dr. J. W. Hughey practiced in the city many years and died in 1912. 

Dr. J. Morton Howell practiced here in the city a few years, then moved 
to Dayton. When he had no real calls in the country, it is related of him 
that he frequently run his fast team over the rural roads as if he had urgent 
calls and had no time to waste, but ever drove on, thinking to create the opinion 
that he had a large practice. 

Dr. John G. Wilson was another physician and surgeon of earlier days 
in this county, who had a very large and successful practice. He was an ex- 
cellent man and was loved and admired by legions within this county. He 
was a native of Ross county, born March 19. 181 1, of parents who had emi- 
grated from Pennsylvania. The forefathers were in the Revolutionary 
struggle, while his father was a soldier in the War of 181 2. He studied 
medicine under Dr. James Robbins, of Greenfield, three years and in 1835 
went to Dayton, where for more than five years he'was associated with Dr. 
Henry Vantyne. He then spent a part of a year in Lockport, Indiana, after 
which he located permanently in W^ashington C. H., where he continued his 
medical practice until about eighty years of age. The date of his settlement 
in Washington C. H. was August, 1841. He died September 22, 1896, at his 
home. He married, in 1839, Lucinda Mackerley, of New Jersey. She died 
in 1875 and was the mother of two children, ^lartha, who died in young 
womanhood, and Mary L., who became the wife of Jerred L. Millikan and 
is now the only survivor of the Wilson family living. She occupies the old 
homestead where Doctor Wilson, her father, resided so many years and in 
which house she was born. It is at the corner of North and Court streets. 
Doctor Wilson was physician for the county infirmary for twenty-one years. 
Politically, he was a stanch Republican, and formerly a Whig. In his church 
faith he was of the Presbyterian denomination. There are still many within 
the county who readily recall the good doctor, when he used to ride over the 
county either in his cart or on horseback. He was absorbed and interested 



158 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

in his chosen profession even until the end of hfe came. During the Civil 
war days he had a large practice, and agreed with- many a brave man who 
w^ent forth in defense of the flag that he would look after the health of their 
families while they were absent. This he carried out to the letter; some re- 
paid him and others ne\-er did, but he felt he had performed a patriotic duty 
and thus cancelled the account. 

Dr. Harry M. Jenkins, a young and very suc-cessful physician, of but few 
years practice, was born in 1880.' and was reared in this county and city. He 
studied medicine and attended and graduated from the Ohio Medical College. 
He was married in Sandusky, Ohio, in October, 1914, and two weeks after 
his marriage ended his life by taking a quantity of carbolic acid, while seated 
in his own office late in the evening. This act shocked the entire community, 
for he was a bright, genial and exceptional promising young professional 
man, with seemingly many years of pleasure and usefulness before him. The 
motive for this terrible ending was made known by a note he penned the night 
of his death, in which he referred to the fact that, when twelve years of age, 
he met with an accident \\hile crossing the Pennsylvania tracks in Washing- 
ton C. H., by which his skull was crushed and his brain injured. A number 
of strips of metal were inserted at the time, and one of these seemed to him 
to have slipped and pressure was brought upon his brain, causing, at numerous 
times of late, a sudden mental aberration, or insanity, which he feared was 
fast becoming worse. He feared in his practice that he might administer 
dangerous drugs and take the lives of others, hence he took his own life. 
The accident mentioned was twenty-two years prior to his death. Doctor 
Jenkins was a favorite with very many in the county, and he held member- 
ship in several secret fraternities. His death caused a general sadness over 
this entire county. 

PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY IN I914. 

In the early autumn of 191 4 the following were practicing medicine in 
Fayette county : 

In Washington C. H.— Drs. W. E. Ireland, L. L. Brock, G. W. Blakely, 
E. F. Todhunter, C A. Teeters, George S. Hodson, Lucy W. Pine, D. H. 
Rowe, Paul Hilderbrant, C. A. Harlow, Howard Stitt, A. A. Hyer, L. M. Mc- 
Fadden, Roy Brown, P. E. Decatur, R. M. Hughey, Florence Rankin, C. A. 
Hazzard, L. P. Howell. These are all of the regular school of medicine ex- 
cept Doctors Hazzard and Rankin, osteopaths ; Doctors Hodson and Hilder- 
brant, homeopathic, and Doctor Decatur, eclectic. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I 59 

At Milledgeburg — Drs. J. A. Adams, A. N. Vandeman, Grant Marchant. 
At Bloomingl)nrg- — Drs. E. H. McDowell and G. W. Holdren, and, until 
recently, Doctor Hyer, who is now on his farm. 

At Jeffersonville — Drs. F. E. Wilson, J. H. French and H. V. Lusher. 
At Good Hope — Doctors Boggs and Stemler. 
At Buena Vista — Doctor Hooks. 

FAYETTE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 

There have been several medical societies in this county with the passing 
years, but the present one is all that will here be mentioned on account of 
there being no data from which to draw, earlier than that of the present 
organization. 

The Fayette County Medical Society was organized in May, 1903. and 
contained twenty-one charter members. There have Ijeen more and less at 
various times, the present membership being sixteen. 

The original officers were Dr. G. W. Blakely, president; S. A. Ireland, 
vice-president ; A. O. Erwin, secretary and treasurer. Those serving at pres- 
ent are : Dr. E. F. Todhunter, president ; H. F. Kaler, vice-president ; Lucy 
W. Pine, secretary and treasurer. Meetings are supposed to be held once a 
month, but really are not attended nearly so frequently. Physicians belong- 
ing to the county society may become members in the state and national 
society and association, but not otherwise. Hence the importance of these 
local societies. 

CITY HOSPITALS. 

The first regular hospital at Washington C. H. was organized and duly 
incorporated under the state laws, l^y local people, in the month of November, 
1907. The by-laws specified that there be nine "directors and the first were 
as follows: Mrs. Madeline Sharp, Dr. W. E. Ireland. Dr. R. M. Hughey, 
Col. B. H. Millikan, F. M. Fullerton, Mrs. Aus Hopkins, C. A. Reid, Mrs. 
F. L. Stutson and J. H. Dahl. For president. Doctor Hughey was elected; 
for first vice-president, S. A. Ireland; for second vice-president. Dr. Lucy 
Pine; for treasurer. Colonel Millikan. The name was given in the articles 
of incorporation as the Fayette County Hospital Association. It is now con- 
ducted solely by Dr. L. M. McFadden. 

The next hospital was the one still in operation, in the city's very center, 
the Hodson Hospital, established in 191 1 by Dr. George S. Hodson, in mem- 
ory of his deceased son. This is a well appointed, finely equipped hospital 
which usually has all the patients it can care for. 



CHAPTEk XII 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 



THE JUDICIARY. 

On April 15, 1803, the General Assembly of Ohio passed an act estab- 
lishing the judiciary system of that time. It determined that the supreme 
court of the state should consist of three judges, chosen in the manner 
directed in the constitution, that is, they were to be appointed by a joint 
ballot of both houses of the General Assembly, and they were to hold office 
for the term of seven years. This court was declared to have original juris- 
diction in all civil cases, both in law and equity, where the title of land was 
in question or where the sum in dispute exceeded the value of one thousand 
dollars. It had exclusive cognizance of all criminal causes where the punish- 
ment was capital, and of all other crimes and offenses not cognizant by a 
single justice of the peace ; it had cognizance concurrent with the court of 
common pleas. By this act also the state was divided into circuits. A presi- 
dent of the court of common pleas was to be appointed in each circuit in the 
same manner that the supreme judges received their appointment. The 
president, together with three associate judges, appointed in a similar way, 
for each county in the state, constituted the court of common pleas for such 
county. 

It has been recorded that the first court in Fayette county was held in 
the log cabin belonging to John Devault. a little north of the present site of 
Bloomingburg, and was presided o\er by Judge John Thomson. It appears 
that chairs were scarce articles and Mrs. Devault's bed was pressed into 
service by the Judge, for which he received a severe lecture by the lady. 
Sometimes a stable, and again the adjoining hazel thicket, accommodated the 
grand jury in its sittings. Judge Thomson was known as a man of puritani- 
cal moralitv and distinguished himself by the long and tedious moral lectures 
he invariably delivered in court to the prisoners. 

According to the best authorities, the year 1811 was the date of the 
holding of the first court in the town of Washington C. H. A double round- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. l6l 

log cabin was standing on the corner of Court and Main streets, fronting on 
Court, consisting of two independent rooms, probably ten or twelve feet 
apart, with the roof meeting in the center and covering the space between. 
In the room nearest Main street the first court in Washington C. H. was held. 
The jury retired to the hazel brush nearby to hold their deliberations and 
whenever the presence of the sheriff or prosecuting attorney was needed 
their names were loudly proclaimed from the thicket. It is stated that while 
justice was solemnly dispensed in one room, whiskey was as hilariously sold 
by the owner of the cabin, Valentine Coil, in the adjoining room. It is not 
certain just how many terms of court were held in this cabin, but it appears 
that the court house was ready for occupancy at least as early as the spring 
of 1814; also that court was held in the cabin during the latter part of the 
year 181 2, and by good authority it is stated that court was held in the Coil 
cabin a much longer period than elsewhere. It is surmised that the cabin 
served as a court house from 1812 until the latter part of 1813, then was 
removed to the Melvin, afterward Vandeman, corner, and from there to the 
first court house. 

FAYETTE COUNTY LAWYERS. 

The attorneys practicing here in 1836 (three in the entire county) were 
Wade Loofborrow, Robert Robinson and Samuel Kerr, all long since de- 
ceased and their names forgotten, save by the families they represented and 
a few of the older citizens of the county. They were all excellent men and 
good lawyers for those days. Robert Robinson died in the fifties. 

Another whose name should not be omitted is Robert M. Briggs, who 
died in 1869, aged less than forty years of age. He was a splendid type of 
American manhood ; was unusually eloquent and had a promising future 
before him. He was judge at one time and had a state-wide reputation. 

The attorneys practicing in the county in 1861 included these: Madison 
Pavey, Horatio Maynard, George B. Gardner, M. J. Williams, Nelson Rush 
and Mills Gardner. 

In 1880 these were found in active practice here: R. C. Miller, O. T. 
Gunning, iMr. Barclay, T. N. Craig, M. Willard, J. B. Koontz, Thomas D. 
McElwain, Gregg & Chambers, W. T. Tanzey and Maynard & Hadley. 

Another attorney was Col. S. F. Kerr, of a pioneer family, who was 
born in Kentucky October 5, 1805, came with his parents to Ohio in 1809, 
settled in Ross county, where he remained until 181 1, then removed to 
Jeffersonville, Favette county. He studied law under Attorney Phelps. 

(II) 



1 62 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

was admitted to the bar in 1835 and continued in acti\e practice in this 
county until his death, in the early eighties. .He was a public-spirited man, 
held the office of state representative and was probate judge. 

All but five of the above 1880 lawyers are deceased now, some for many 
years, others more recently. 

Of Samuel Buck, the second attorney in the county, C. A. Palmer, a 
native of the county, later of Indianapolis, relates the following: 

"Samuel Buck was later a resident of Greene county, where he resided 
on his farm. He was a man five feet and six inches tall; was stocky built and 
very stout. At the time he began his practice in Washington C. H., Peter 
and Jesse Funk (of the famous Funk family) were known as the bullies of 
this county. They were probably not bad men, but the times and customs, 
with environments, made them what they were, dangerous and undesirable 
characters in the community. It was the custom then to meet in town on 
general muster day of the militia, and fight just to see which was the best 
man. At this the Funks were counted the 'cocks of the walk.' This seemed 
to render them immune from prosecution for crimes of which they were 
suspected. Samuel Buck announced himself a candidate for the office of 
prosecuting attorney, and in this he promised, if elected, to prosecute the 
Funks and thus break up their terrorism. 

"A short time afterward Peter Funk — at least one of the boys, the worst 
one — came into town and, hearing of Mr. Buck's proposition, announced that 
he would whip him on sight. They met between the present Arlington hotel 
and the Trust building, and immediately the fight was on! The result was 
the little lawyer whipped the big bully to a frazzle. This resulted in the 
election of Buck, who at once proceeded to cause the arrest of the two 
Funks. One of the brothers, fearing the outcome, went away from the 
county, while the other remained and barricaded himself in his cabin home 
and resisted the sheriff and his posse. During the night he made his escape, 
left the county and state and never came back. There was no attempt to 
capture them and all were too glad to be without such citizens. This cabin 
of Funk's was what gave rise to the phrase 'Battle of Funk's Cabin,' so much 
heard about in this county. The log house stood in the present Klever-Tway 
settlement." 

MISCELLANEOUS LIST OF ATTORNEYS. 

Through the kindness of Hon. H. L. Hadley, we are permitted to give a 
list of lawyers, as remembered by him, as having practiced in the county at 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 163 

one date or another. Some of these have already been given, while many 
more have not, for lack of sufficient data. Mr. Hadlev's list is as follows: 

S. F. Kerr, Judge H. B. Maynard, Judge M. J. Williams, Hon. Mills 
Gardner, Hon. Madison Pavey, Judge T. M. Gray, J. B. Priddy (probate 
judge), C. A. Palmer, T. D. McElwain (probate judge), Manford Willard 
(probate judge), Humphrey Jones (arrived here in April, 1870), Judge Ace 
Gregg, Hon. A. R. Creamer, H. L. Hadley (who came in 1874 to practice), 
C. M. Jones, Willis M. Pine, Nye Gregg, Pope Gregg, C. Thompson, W. A. 
Paxon, M. S. Creamer, Mr. Mudd, Mr. Hixon, J. N. VanDeman, C. A. Reid, 
C. W. Russell, J. D. Post, T. N. Craig, J. H. Patton, Judge Carpenter, H. H. 
Sanderson, John Logan, Mr. Kimball, C. E. Baughn, Lee Rankin, H. Ran- 
kin, Judge Joseph Hidy, E. L. Bush, F. A. Chaffin, J. L. Zimmerman, Rell 
G. Allen, D. L. Thompson, Fred B. Creamer, C. W. Spangler (deceased), 
George Hitchcock, Nathan Creamer, Thomas S. Maddox, W. B. Rodgers, 
P. E. Dempry. 

Some of these lawyers never practiced long and did not make much of 
a record, but have been members of the Fayette county bar. Others have 
moved to other parts of the country, while very many have died with the 
passing vears. Many of these have brief sketches in this w^ork. while others 
have none. The list of names, at least, should here appear as a tribute to 
their memory, and some as connecting links between the long-ago years and 
the active practice of the present day. 

Ace Gregg, former judge of the court common pleas, was born in 
Washington C. H., Jefferson township, this county, the son of John F. Gregg 
and Avife. He was married in 187 1 to Amelia J. Jones, of Bloomingburg. 
He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Royal 
Arcanum societies. He read law^ at Washington C. H. under Hon. M. J. 
Williams, took a law course at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, 
and commenced law practice in 1870, under the firm name of Gregg & 
Cochran, continuing until 1880. During his practice he was prosecuting at- 
torney for six years. In the autumn of 1880 he was elected judge of the 
common pleas court. Mr. Gregg died in about 1893. 

Hon. Horace L. Hadley, now retired from the legal practice, was born 
in Sandwich, New Hampshire (see biographical sketch). He married S. 
Lizzie Emerson, of Massachusetts. He enlisted in 1862 as a soldier in the 
Union cause in the Civil War, having commenced the study of law before 
that date, and resumed the same after the close of the war. He read law 
with Hon. Sidney C. Bancroft before he entered the army, and finished his 



164 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Studies at Salem, Massachusetts, Avith Perrv &: Endicott, Ijoth celebrated law- 
yers and authors. Air. Hadley was admitted to the bar in September, 1863, 
and hrst located that year at Danfers, Massachusetts. He remained there 
until April, 1870, then came to Ohio, and since 1874 has been engaged in the 
practice of law at Washington C. H. He was of the firm of Maynard & 
Hadlev, and in 1881 was elected to a seat in the House of Re]:)resentatives 
from Fayette county. He has accimiulated a good property and in his ad- 
vanced years is leading a retired life, enjoying the hard work of former years. 
He was one of the substantial members of the Fayette bar many years and 
now is beloved and highly esteemed by everyone in his district, county and 
city. 

Joseph Hidy, another Fayette county attorney of considerable promi- 
nence, was born in this county in 1854, son of Urban and Mary A. Hidy. Mr. 
Hidy was a member of the Jefferson Masonic Lodge. He received his edu- 
cation at the common schools, after which he took a philosophical course, re- 
ceiving the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy at Buchtel College, Akron, 
Ohio. He then went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, took a collegiate course in 
the University of Michigan, graduating in the spring of 1878, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar that spring, and commenced practice the following May, 
under the firm name of Savage & Hidy. He has been in the law practice at 
Cleveland manv years and is now just retiring. He was judge a number of 
years, filling the position with credit. 

Horatio B. Maynard, Washington C. H., was born in Holden, Massa- 
chusetts, October 12, 1826, the son of John P. Maynard and wife. He was 
married in 1856 to Kesiah Blakemore. He entered the One Hundred and 
Fourteenth Ohio Regiment in August, 1862, and resigned February, 1863. 
He was prosecuting attorney of Fayette county for 1868-69, and was later a 
member of the well-known and strong firm of Maynard & Hadley. His early 
education was obtained at Ludlow, Vermont, but he passed his youth in New 
Hampshire. He was for two years assistant superintendent of the Black 
River Academy, of V^ermont. He died in 1908, greatly mourned by the bar 
and the community in which he had lived so long and been so true to good 
citizenship. 

Thomas McElwain. lawyer at W'ashington C. H. for many years, was 
a native of this city, but of j^arents who emigrated from Kentucky to this 
county. He attended school here until the breaking out of the Civil War, 
when he enlisted as a pri\'ate soldier in Company A, F'irst Ohio Cavalry, willi 
which he served three years and was honorably discharged. He return('l 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. l6 



home and in 1867 took up the law practice. He died at the State Soldiers' 
Home in 191 2. 

R. C. Miller, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, was born in 1853, the 
only son of Robert and Marie Miller. In 1881 he married Eva J. Parrett, 
of the pioneer family of this county. He received his education in Wash- 
ington C. H., sttudied law under Gregg & Creamer, and was admitted to the 
bar December 7, 1880. He began law practice in April, 1881. Politically, 
he was a Republican. He spent a few years in the West, variously engaged, 
but finally settled down as an attorney in this county. He served as prose- 
cuting attorney at t)ne time here. He died several years ago. 

J. H. Patton, attorney at Washington C. H., was born in this county in 
1849, ^ son of Mr. and Mrs. James Patton. He was united in marriage 
December 3, 1870, to S. E. Durnell. He received his education at Lebanon, 
at South Salem Academy, and commenced the study of law with Hon. M. J. 
Williams, of Washington C. H., and in 1869, when only twenty years old, 
commenced the practice of law. He passed from earth's shining circle in 

1893. 

John N. VanDeman. formerly of the firm of VanDeman & Russell, at 
Washington C. H., was born in that city in 1845, the son of John L. Van- 
Deman and wife. He lived there, attended the village school, until February, 
1858, then moved with the family to Frankfort, Ross county, Ohio. His 
father was a merchant and when the son was twelve years of age he com- 
menced clerking in the store, w^here he soon acquired a liking for the affairs 
of commerce and trade. When seventeen years old he attended Duff's 
Commercial College, at Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania, then went to Miami Uni- 
versity, remaining there until twenty years of age. His father then gave 
him a one-third interest in his large mercantile business. On March i, 1865. 
he began business for himself and bought the stocks of merchandise. A 
wholesale department was soon added to the business, and the former twenty- 
five thousand dollar sales increased to eighty-five thousand dollars per an- 
num. In 1872, however, he turned to the study of law at leisure hours, not 
thinking he might ever practice, but for the general information he might 
thus obtain. He had also taken a commercial law course while at Pittsburgh. 
By 1876 he had become infatuated with the law and decided to enter into the 
real profession and quit the dry goods trade, which he did. Three months 
later he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court and immediately 
opened a law offi>ce at Washington C. H., where he soon acquired a large, 
paying practice at the Fayette county bar. Mr. Van Deman is a Republi- 
can, a member of the Presbyterian church, and identified with the Odd Eel- 



1 66 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

lows order. He is now practicing law at Dayton, Ohio, and is very success- 
ful at the bar. 

Gen. Stephen B. Yeoman was born' in Fayette county, Ohio. December 
I. 1836, the son of Alvah and Elizabeth Yeoman. The father came to Ohio 
in 1806 and the mother in 181 5. When fifteen years old young Yeoman 
shipped as a sailor, visiting New Zealand and points in South America, Asia 
and Africa. After much experience, observation and adventure abroad, he 
returned to his native land. His great-grandfather served with much credit 
in the Revolutionary struggle, while his grandfather served in the War of 
1812-14. When the civil conflict broke out in 1861, he immediately volun- 
teered ; was under General Rosencrans, with whom he continued as a private 
in tlie Twenty-second Ohio Regiment, Company F. He served his first 
term, returned home and raised Company A of the Fifty-fourth Regiment. 
Fie was ordered by General Sherman to take ten picked men and penetrate the 
rebel lines to learn their strength, if possible. While in service he received 
the following wounds: Slight wounds at Shiloh ; battle of Russell House, 
shot in the leg, arm and abdomen; again wounded in 1863 in his right arm, 
entirely severing the member below the elbow. For gallant bravery he was 
promoted to major of his regiment. Being one handed, he concluded to 
resign, which he did. In May, 1864, President Lincoln appointed him colo- 
nel of this regiment, and he was detailed by the department to Camp Caley, 
Virginia, a recruiting station. In November, 1864, he took active command 
of his regiment and was in all the actions of the same. He was finally 
breveted brigadier-general of volunteers. In 1866 he was elected probate 
judge of Fayette county and later took up the law practice. He was not a 
highly equipped, or even a natural, lawyer, but did some business, from time 
to time, aided by other members of the bar. He is now deceased. 

Hon. Marshall J. Williams, son of Dr. Charles Williams, was born 
February 22, 1836. He was ever a close student and at the age of nineteen 
graduated from Wesleyan University, soon afterward beginning his legal 
studies at Washington C. H., with Nelson Rush. He finished when twenty- 
one years of age and opened an office at Sigourney, Iowa, remained one year, 
then returned to Fayette county and at once entered his active law career. 
He was elected to the Ohio Legislature in 1870 and was re-elected in 1872, 
serving through both sessions with credit and honor. He still kept his law 
practice, in which he was highly successful and accumulated a handsome 
fortune. He was elevated to the supreme bench and was its chief justice a 
number of years. Few men in Ohio stood higher in his profession, or as a 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 167 

man, than did Judge Williams. In fact, he is said by many to have been 
"a famous lawyer." 

Hon. Mills Gardner was born at Russellville, Brown county, Ohio, in 
1830. He was married in 185 1 to Margaret A. Morrow. He came to Fay- 
ette county in 1854. He received a common school education, studied law, 
was admitted to the bar in 1855 and followed his profession ever afterward. 
He was prosecuting attorney for Fayette county four years ; was an honored 
member of the State Senate in 1862-64; presidential elector on the Lincoln 
ticket, in 1864; was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, 
1866-68; member of the state constitutional convention, 1873; was elected to 
a seat in the fifty-fourth Congress of the United States, as a Republican 
member. He died in igio. at Washington C. H. 

Col. S. F. Kerr, another bright light in the legal profession of Fayette 
county, was born in Pendleton county, V^irginia, October 21, 1805, ^^"^^ "'' 
181 1 removed with bis parents to Fayette county, Ohio. Here, midst the 
rural and romantic scenes of farm life near the village of Jeffersonville, his 
youth was spent. He wanted to possess knowledge and worked hard to 
secure a suitable education. He finally succeeded and became not only a 
scholar, but a scientist as well. As an astronomer, he was proficient ; also 
in chemistry and philosophy did he excel. Having a military spirit, he took 
much interest in militia and training days. At the age of twenty he was 
elected captain of a company of militia and later rose to the rank of colonel, 
from which he obtained the title he ever afterward went by. In 1848 he 
was elected and commissioned brigadier^general of the Fourth Brigade, 
Tenth Division of the Ohio militia. Having chosen law as his profession, 
he studied hard and was admitted to the bar in 1835, the same year being 
elected prosecuting attorney, which office he held a number of terms. By 
one well acquainted with his career, both as citizen and attorney, the follow- 
ing was written of him : "He had the highest sense of professional dignity 
and honor. His compeers were the old lawyers of renown of southern Ohio. 
Among these were Thomas Ewing, Hunter, Allen G. Thurman, Bond, Dickey, 
Douglas, Nelson, Barrere. Robert Robinson and their contemporaries. With 
such associates he learned the law, and from them the duties and amenities 
of the lawyer. He was eminent in the profession, particularly in land law 
and land litigation. In this department of the law he was a mine of informa- 
tion and knowledge. 

'"Upon the adoption of the constitution in 185 1, he was elected the first 
probate judge. Later he was elected to the Legislature twice to fill terms. 



l68 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

and once to fill a vacancy. The code that followed the adoption of the 1851 
constitution retired from the active practice many of the older attorneys. 
Colonel Kerr, however, left the practice for a place on the bench, and then 
was sent to the State Legislature. In his day in court, and this, too, in the 
days of Loofborrow, Willard, Dickey and Robinson, he was the acknowl- 
edged leader of the bar." Another associate of his said upon one occasion: 
"Sometimes, as usual with attorneys, I have for the moment felt that he was 
harsh in his rulings; yet, after mature reflection and more careful inquiry 
into his motives and reasons for his decrees, I have always found, as I do 
now% in looking back over his life, a golden cord of integrity and honesty of 
purpose encircling all his official acts and decisions, which, in my memory of 
him, will always be bright. I have represented the cause of the rich and the 
poor in his courts, and I have always found that the poor oppressed who 
appealed to him for redress of wrongs, or supposed grievances, suffered at 
the hands of the more independent oppressors, found in him a tender and 
sympathetic regard for their causes; and if the scales of justice, as they stood 
poised in his hands, were swerved one hair from the stern rule of the law 
and right, it was always on the side of mercy." 

FAYETTE COUNTY BAR. 

In the autumn of 19 14 the following were the attorneys of this county 
and entitled to practice in the courts. All resided in Washington C. H. with 
the single exception of U. G. Creamer, who resided and had his office at 
Jeffersonville : J. F. Adams, Frank M. Allen, Rell G. Allen, T. L. Barger, 
Carey E. Baughn, E. L. Bush, Frank G. Carpenter, Frank A. Chaffin, A. R. 
Creamer, U. G. Creamer (Jeffersonville), F. B. Creamer, Nye Gregg, Pope 
Gregg, H. L. Hadley, Joseph H. Harper, G. H. Hitchcock, Humphrey Jones, 
A. J. Kearney, J. B. Koontz, John Logan, T. S. Maddox, Thomas W. Mer- 
chant, A. C. Patton, J. D. Post. Harry M. Rankin, Lee Rankin, Charles A. 
Reid, W. B. Rogers, H. H. Sanderson, W. C. Tranzey, D. L. Thompson. 

JUDGES COURT OF APPEALS. 

Hon. James I. Allread, Greenville ; Hon. H. L. Ferneding, Dayton ; 
Hon. Albert H. Kunkel, Springfield. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 169 

JUDGES COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. 

Hon. Cyrus Newby, Hillsl>oro; Hon. Frank G. Carpenter, Washington 
C. H. ; Hon. James F. Goldsberry, Chillicothe ; Hon. Clarence Curtain, Cir- 
•cle\'ille. 

OTHER COURT OFFICERS. 

E. W. Durflinger, clerk ; Oliver S. Nelson, sheriff ; Stella D. Hendricks, 
court stenographer; James Clark, court constable; T. S. Maddox, prosecut- 
ing attorney; Rell G. Allen, probate judge. 

HON. H. B. MAYNARD. 

Judge H. B. Maynard, who located in Fayette county in 1854, died at 
the ripe old age of eighty-one years, in September, 1907. He was born in 
Holdren, Massachusetts, October 12, 1826, and commenced the study of law 
and was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. When about twenty-eight 
years old he came West, that being in the autumn of 1854. He finally 
decided to locate permanently in Washington C. H. Soon after his arrival 
he was engaged to teach the school on the corner of Market and Hinde street. 
Two years later he formed a law partnership with Judge Briggs, which busi- 
ness relation continued until the death of Mr. Briggs. 

After the Civil War came on, Mr. Maynard volunteered as a member 
of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Regiment and soon rose to be 
lieutenant-colonel of his regiment, serving with marked distinction. During 
the famous Morgan raid through Ohio, he re-enlisted as colonel of the regi- 
ment raised for home defense against the rebel raider. After the war had 
closed he resumed his legal pursuits, and was elected as proscuting attorney, 
which position he held until 1869. About that date he formed a partnership 
in law wnth Hon. H. L. Hadley, and the firm took a conspicuous part in the 
many cases brought about by the great 1873 panic. In 1894, upon the death 
of Judge Ace Gregg, Governor William McKinley appointed him to fill the 
vacancy on the bench. At the next election he won out for the judgeship by 
a majority of two thousand four hundred. He was president of the board 
of education a number of years and was the gentleman who named Sunny- 
side school building. He was also a member of the board of trustees for 
the County Children's Home. 



J70 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



HON. JOHN JAMES HARPER. 



Judge J. J. Harper, ex-judge and eminent lawyer of southern Ohio, was 
a man of more than ordinary ability and prominence in the county and state 
in which he spent his life. He passed to higher realms October 21, 1906, 
aged seventy-two years. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 6, 
1834, and was educated in the common schools and saw many early hard- 
ships in securing his coveted education, but finally obtained an excellent Eng- 
lish education in all branches. Before he had reached man's -estate he 
taught several terms of district school in both Pickaway and Fairfield 
counties. In 1858 he located at Portsmouth. Ohio, as a law student under 
Hutchins & Gabby and was admitted to the bar April 25, i860. In 1856 he 
was united in marriage to Emily Jones, of Portsmouth, Ohio, by whom four 
sons were born : John Ellis, who practiced law in Denver, Colorado ; Will- 
iam A.; Samuel G., of Portsmouth, Ohio; John H., of Washington C. H., a 
partner with his father in the law firm of Harper & Harper. The wife and 
mother died in 1874, and in 1875 Mr. Harper married Anna Eliza Robinson, 
of Washington C. H.. Ohio. She died the same week of the Judge's death, 
and before him. 

On being admitted to the bar, ]\Ir. Harper began his practice in Ports- 
mouth. In 1863 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Scioto county, 
Ohio, and was re-elected in 1865. In May, 1864, he enlisted as a member 
of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Infantry Regiment, and 
served during the balance of the Civil War. In 1868 he was presidential 
elector and cast his vote for U. S. Grant. In 1871 he was elevated to the 
bench of the court of common pleas in the second sub-division of the seventh 
judicial district of Ohio. He was re-elected in 1876, serving in all ten years, 
retiring in 1882. He was an able, industrious and very popular judge. After 
his retirement from the bench he formed a law partnership with Hon. Joha 
K. Richards, and subsequently was associated with John C. Milner and also 
J. C. Searl, continuing till 189 1. He moved to Washington C. H. in 1886 
and there spent the remainder of his days, practicing law. During that time, 
for three years he was a law partner of T. W. Marchant, but in 1892 his son 
was admitted to a firm known as Harper & Harper. 

The Judge was a strenuous worker, a great student, a clear thinker and a 
profound lawyer. He had no other business, his whole time being directed 
to his chosen profession. He thoroughly prepared his papers and was never 
taken by sur])risc by opposing lawyers, for he knew both sides of his cases. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I7I 

He also had a high sense of professional honor and was a man of much 
integrity. He always honored his profession as a lawyer of dignity and 
character. As a citizen, he was a model American and a true gentleman. 
His funeral was largely attended by members of the southern Ohio bar, and 
also by his comrades, members of the Grand Army of the Republic. Hon. 
Mills Gardner read a befitting memorial at his funeral, and to this we are 
indebted for much in this sketch of his life. Rev. D. H. Jones, of the 
Presbyterian church, and Rev. J. C. Arbuckle, of Grace Methodist Episcopal 
church, had charge of the services. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

MILITARY HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 

War has always been a dreadful thing for any country or any people, 
yet this has always been the means of settling great national difficulties, and 
not until after the close of the Civil War in the United States of America 
did it recei^'e its logical name, when Ohio's honored military chieftain. Gen. 
W. T. Sherman, said "War is hell." And still the world is at war. for at this 
very hour (September, 19 14) Europe is allame with the conflict of great 
contending armies which threaten the destruction of a once great and happy 
people. Even America looks on with a shudder, fearing that in some man- 
ner she may be drawn into this Ijitter European conflict. 

Eayette county was organized too late ( iSio) to have had a very im- 
portant part in the last war this country had with England — that of 181 2. 
She furnished a considerable amount of provision for the American cause, 
and, in proportion to population, probably had as many enlisted men in the 
military service as any county in the state to do battle for the flag she 
had learned to love so well. Before passing from this subject, it should be 
related as a matter touching locally on Fayette county, that in the month 
of December, 1813, while the Wrt of 1812 was still going on. Major Samuel 
Myers, of Fayette county, was employed by the army contractors to superin- 
tend the transportation of about eight hundred hogs from Urbana, Ohio, to 
Fort Wayne, Indiana. These hogs had been bought in Madison and Fayette 
counties, the Funk families furnishing the majority of them, hence the swine 
were raised in Fayette county. John Funk was to accompany Major Myers 
with the hogs. In the latter part of December, under guard of twelve sol- 
diers, under Ensign Gilmore, a number of cattle and about forty pack horses 
and a few assistants, the party set out on their march from Urbana, through 
the thick forests to Fort Wayne. Although Indians were plenty, they passed 
on quietly, occasionally stopping to allow the hogs to feed on the nuts and 
acorns in the heavy timber. 

The St. Mary's river and Shane's prairie were covered with ice, upon 
which the men and hogs crossed in part, but not altogether. The day before 
reaching their destination, being bright and sunshiny, the pack-horses were 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I 73 

allowed to crop the tall bear grass that stuck up above the ice, while Myers 
and the soldiers, with Funk, of this county, remained, and the hands drove 
on the hogs. They had not gone far before they discovered a band of about 
fifty Indians — painted warriors. — not over a hundred yards distant. The 
Indians took in the situation and went back for supposed report to the other 
braves, wdiile the frightened swine drivers hastily retreated to where Major 
Myers was and reported to him. The soldiers wanted to flee for the fort, 
fifteen miles away, but Myers ordered them to obey him and remain until 
attacked. They then moAcd a short distance and cooked supper and put out 
a heavy guard, having their horses' heads near them. There they remained 
all night, but not to sleep. At about ten o'clock there arose a fearful snow- 
storm and this Myers believed would deter the Indian band from making 
an attack, which proved to be the case. In the morning the Major rode 
swiftly to the fort and secured a heavy guard to aid in getting the hogs and 
other supplies into safe quarters. Thus ended what might have been a 
disastrous trip for men and stock. 

MEXICAN WAR IN 1 846. 

The War with Mexico was fought betw^een 1846 and 1848, and it did 
not require a very large army of men to quell the disturbance, hence no one 
state had to furnish a large number of soldiers. Ohio sent forth her full 
quota and did so willingly. Some of her brave sons lost their lives and are 
now resting beneath Mexican skies. Fayette county furnished a few^ men 
in that war, but not many. 

This county has taken part in two great wars since the War with Mexico 
— the Civil War of 1861-65 and the lesser conflict of the Spanish-American 
War in 1898, but before going into the details of the support the county gave 
to these wars, it may be of interest to the present reader, as well as to those 
of the future who shall look upon these pages, to note something concerning 
the preparations made in this county for war when it might come, by the 
training and drilling of her able-bodied male citizens. 

MILITIA MUSTER DAYS. 

In early times, throughout this country, there was no national guard 
system, but nevertheless all males between the ages of sixteen and fifty years 
were subject to military training and had to drill at "general training days." 
The law in Ohio establishing a militia of this type was dated at Marietta July 



174 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



2S, 1788, and was approved bv Governor St. Clair. It provided that all 
within the above named ages (if able bodied) should perform military duty, 
be armed with a musket and bayonet, cartridge box and pouch, or powder- 
horn and bullet-pouch, one pound of powder and four of lead, priming wire, 
brush and flint, six in number. 

They were supposed to meet at ten o'clock on the first day of each week, 
armed and equipped, adjacent to the place of public worship, and at all other 
times and places as the commander-in-chief should direct. For failing to ap- 
pear on the first day of the week, they were fined twenty-five cents, and for 
failure on the days designated by the commander, fifty cents; for refusing to 
do guard duty, one dollar, and for refusing to serve in case of an invasion, 
they were considered guilty of desertion and court martialed. 

By the amended law of 1791, all commandants of companies were to 
drill their men two hours on the last day of the week, and inspect their arms, 
ammunition, etc. All who attended the drill on Saturday were excused 
from church or drill on Sunday. Also if they attended church armed and 
equipped, they were not required to drill on Saturday. This law was in 
force until the close of 1799, when the whole was revised by the Territorial 
Legislature, which fixed the ages at eighteen and forty-five; men were to be 
armed and equipped in six months, ofificers to have a sword or hanger, with 
spontoon or spike arms, except for execution. 

Companies had to muster once in two months, except December, Janu- 
ary, February and March. This law was amended or superseded by statu- 
tory provisions when the state was organized in 1803, so that Quakers, Men- 
nonites and Tunkers were exempt from military duty on payment of three 
dollars each year. In 1809 all previous laws concerning the militia were 
repealed. Onlv two company musters a year were required — April and 
September. Thev were commissioned to meet in August each year for two 
davs" exercise according to Steuben's tactics. Many were the changes down 
to 1844, when it was decided that public drill of militia was a failure and did 
not promote patriotism or good morals, and should not be required further. 
On the prairie north of Oldtown, and also at Washington C. H., were 
favorite places for drilling in Fayette county. This event was looked for- 
ward to with delight by both old and young. While "stand at ease" was the 
order of the commander, the sergeants passed along the lines with a pail full 
of whisky, tin cup in hand, to which every one helped himself. "At officer 
muster," says one writer who had many times witnessed the scene, "the men 
swelled out with war-like pride and 'set the teeth and stretched the nostrils 
wide,' and 'gave the eye a terrible aspect' and as sable — save the blue coats 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1 75 

•and brass buttons — as knights of old, they pranced upon their pampered 
steeds, with the glitter of the polished saber, the waving white plumes, the 
brilliant sash and flashing epaulet, the proud recipients of many admiring 
smiles from fair ladies; while the stolid anti-bellum Quaker, looking on, ex- 
claimed with the sentiment of the frogs, 'It may be fun for you, but it is 
death to us.' " 

From the muster-roll of the Third Company, odd battalion. Third 
Brigade, of the militia of Ohio, w^e give a few of the names, which will be of 
local interest to many still residing in this county, being, as they are, from 
w-ell-known families for the most part: David Allen, lieutenant; George 
Allen, Elijah Allen, Larkin Asher, James Allen, John Alexander, Thomas 
Barton, Jesse Barton, George Basick, Peter Coon (fifer), Henry Coon, Abra- 
ham Coon, Michael Coon, Adam Coon, Armstead Carder, Thomas Cook, 
Robert Corbet, Isaac Dickason, Isaac Dickason, Jr., Enoch Harvey (ensign), 
James Harvey, James Henderson, Amos Hankins, Daniel Hinkle, John 
Herrod, Michael Hawk, Amos Harris, Samuel Herrod, Michael Hornbeck, 
George Jamison, George Kyle, James Kerr, Richard M. McCafiferty, William 
]\Iorgan, John Mclntire, Thomas Nolan. Solomon Parker, Aaron Parker, 
James Rozell, Arnold Richards. I. Rankin, Jeremiah Riley. Jesse Stretch, Jona- 
than Smith, William Sawer, John Sowers, Moses Stein, Joseph Thomas, 
Jacob Thompson, James Thompson, Jeremiah Thomas, John Thomas, Charles 
White. Horatio Walker. James Wilson. 

FAYETTE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

In the Civil War Ohio was notably loyal. Her sons had descended 
from brave sires of the Revolution and the War of 1812-14 with the mother 
country. vShe was for the Union, first, last and all the time! The fire of 
patriotism was lighted in every loyal heart within the limits of the county. 
The total number of men from Ohio who enlisted during the Civil w^ar was 
319,659, while the total number of enlistments during the entire period of 
the war was 425,147. Not alone did her brave sons and fathers go forth, 
taking their lives in their hands, but also the women — the mothers and sisters 
— did their part heroically, and urged their fathers and brothers and sons to 
rush immediately to the rescue of the Stars and Stripes, then being trampled 
in the dust by Southern traitors. 

Early during the year 1861 recruiting was being carried on in this 
county. The echo of Fort Sumter's thundering shots were heard from ocean 



lyC) FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

to ocean, a part of that sound reverberating over the hills and valleys and 
plains of Fayette county. 

The first events in Washington C. H.. connected with the opening of 
the Civil War transpired on April i8th, four days after Fort Sumter was 
fired on. The county commissioners appropriated the sum of forty dollars, 
with which to ])urchase a United States fiag to be unfurled over the court 
house. The same day was announced the first call for troops by President 
Lincoln, who believed, with others, that seventy-five thousand for three 
months would be a sufficient number of soldiers to quell the rebellion at the 
South. 

One paragraph in the Herald, on April i8th, read: "As to the flag of 
the Union — it shall proudly float over 'the land of the free and the home of 
the brave' at any sacrifice of blood." 

Lincoln's proclamation. 

April 1 8, 1 86 1, the Herald published the following Presidential procla- 
mation : "Washington, Dist. Col., April 14 — Whereas, the laws of the 
United States have been, and are now opposed in several states by combina- 
tions too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way, I therefore call 
forth the militia of the several States of the Union to the aggregate number 
of seventy-five thousand, to suppress said combination and execute the laws. 
I appeal to every loyal citizen to facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the 
laws and integrity of the National Union and the perpetuity of popular gov- 
ernment and repress wrongs that have long been endured. The first service 
assigned to the forces will be to re-possess the forts, places and property that 
have been seized from the Union. 

"The utmost care will be taken, consistent with the subject, to avoid 
devastation and destruction or interference with property of peaceful citizens 
in any part of the country; the aforesaid combination to disperse within 
twenty days from date. T hereby convene both ITouses of Congress, for the 
fourth day of July, 1861, to determine upon measures which the public safety 
and interests demand. 

(Signed) "Abraham Lincoln, President. 
"By W. H. Seward, Secretary of State." 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1 77 

■A 

GREAT MASS MEETING. 

On April 20, 1861, there was held an immense mass-meeting at the court 
house. Two thousand citiens met to organize for the equipment of volun- 
teers who should respond to the President's call for seventy-five thousand 
men. Major Mathew Jones was chairman; John P. Blue, David Miller, 
Jesse Rowe, Alexander McCoy, Mathias Vandeman and Isaac Jenkins, vice- 
presidents ; James P. Robinson, secretary. 

J. J. Worthington made a thrilling speech, after which the following 
befitting resolutions were offered and passed : 

"Resolved, that a subscription paper be now circulated for the purpose 
of raising money to equip and forward the volunteers of the company now 
required from this county to aid the government. 

"Resolved, that a committee of five from each township be appointed 
to solicit subscriptions to a war fund, for the purpose of sustaining such 
volunteers as may be required of this county by the government and for the 
sustaining of their families who may need such support. 

"Resolved, that Peter Wendel, Sr., James Pursell and William McEl- 
wain be appointed a committee to receive such contributions, and pay out the 
same as necessity may require." 

The war proceeded and after the great battle of Pittsburg Landing the 
patriotic citizens of Washington C. H. sent two men, with donations of 
sixty-five dollars, to care for the wounded on that battlefield who were sol- 
diers from Fayette county. 

Ladies' aid and soldiers' relief societies were promptly organized. The 
work performed by such societies bespoke the genuine patriotism and loyalty, 
as well as liberality, of the citizens of this county. The ladies were fully as 
enthusiastic as the men. With the poet, they declared, 

"Then take your gun and go! 
Yes, take your gun and go, 
For Ruth can drive the oxen, John, 
And I can use the hoe." 

The record shows that up to March 10, 1864, there had been sent from 
the various townships of Fayette county men as follow^s : Jefferson, 397; 
Paint, 261; Madison, 187; Marion, 123; Union, 489; Wayne, 223; Concord, 
155; Jasper, 270 Green, 134; Perry, 191, making a total of 2,430, and still 
there was a call for more men from the county and it required 214 more to 
(12) 



178 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

i ' 

fill up the quota to that date, according to the requirements of the proposed 
draft set for March, 1864. 

Up to May, 1864, there had been raised by donations, etc., in this 
county the sum of $2,495 toward the bounty fund. 

In 1864 a beautiful sword was presented by the good citizens of Bloom- 
ingburg and vicinity, through Mrs. James M. Edwards, to Col. C. Garis, of 
the Sixtv-seventh Regiment. It was presented at the fair grounds and was 
responded to b}' the gallant Colonel in truly befitting words. 

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

The official records at Washington, D. C, show that in 1840 the fol- 
lowing Revolutionary soldiers were on the pension rolls in Fayette county, 
Ohio : 

Union Township — Felix McElhaney, aged ninety years ; Ralph Boon, 
aged ninety-five years ; Charles Sexton, aged seventy-eight years. 

Concord Township — John Newlin, aged ninety-seven years ; Thomas 
Crawford, aged eighty-seven years. 

Jefferson Township — Adam Allen, aged eighty-one years; George Ru- 
pert, aged eighty-four years. 

Green Township — ^John Priddy, aged eighty-two years; Jesse Rowe, 
aged eighty-six years. 

MEMORIAL HALL. 

Ohio cares for her defenders, and one instance is the fine Memorial 
Hall erected on East Court street, at Washington C. H. A few years ago 
the matter of erecting a soldiers' monument in this city was discussed by the 
county authorities, but finally it was decided to spend the money in erecting 
a structure in which the remaining Civil-war veterans, the Sons of Veterans, 
and the auxiliary Relief Corps might have a comfortable resting place and 
assemblv home in their declining years. Monuments are good to show the 
true spirit of a county, but much more so is the building of such a hall, for 
it is more useful and practical, both today and in the future. This property, 
which was erected by Fayette county, is the second and third stories of a 
beautiful, modern brick block. The first floor occupied by the soldiers is 
divided into a large front room, used for a "rest room" for soldiers of any 
American wars. It fronts the street, is well lighted and the whole building 
is heated by steam, at a cost of four hundred dollars per year. The room 
just named has easy chairs and lounging places, free to all, and its walls are 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1/9 

artistically decorated with military pictures, including an heroic portrait 
in oil of Gen. Phil Sheridan. This was donated by Charles Allen, of the 
city. Then there are shelves and cases in which quite a military library is 
kept for public use. 

On the same floor is the spacious Grand Army room, which is well fur- 
nished, being one of the best in Ohio. At the rear of the building (on this 
floor) is one of the largest halls in the state. It is really the "Memorial 
Hall" itself, for here one finds on either of the four walls pure white Italian 
marble tablets, set permanently in the walls, and these number in all forty- 
one, and cost (duty taken off by Congress) laid dow^n by the contractors, 
one hundred and tv/enty-one dollars each, making almost five thousand dol- 
lars for all. On these tablets are inscribed the names, regiment and com- 
pany of 2,662 Fayette county soldiers. This hall is about sixty by eighty- 
five feet, with self-supporting ceilings. It is seated with six hundred opera 
chairs. This is the meeting place for all military gatherings, including the 
memorial and decoration services. The boys who "wore the loyal blue" 
meet here, march to the cemetery and, after decorating their comrades' 
graves, return and are served with a dinner by the Relief Corps ladies. This 
occurs with each annual return of this sacred day. 

Going to the third story of the structure (second of the soldiers' 
rooms), one finds a hall sixty-five by eighty-five feet, with a splendid hard- 
wood floor, designed, originally, for the drill service of the National Guard. 
Here the men generally gather for any public purpose which comes up in the 
county. Here, also, the Relief Corps assemble and do their work, including 
cooking and serving meals. All in all, this memorial is superior to almost 
any in the country, and is duly appreciated by the old soldiers and those of 
the Spanish-American war as well. The Sons of Veterans have the use of 
the Grand Army hall and are very strong in Washington C. H. and Fayette 
county, generally, as is also the Woman's Circle. 

When the marble tablets were ordered, it was intended by the committee 
to use a few for the surviving Confederate soldiers who were then residents 
of this county, but a better judgment prevailed and they are to contain the 
names of county officers. In fact, the Confederates themselves did not 
care to advertise themselves as having fought in the "Lost Cause." 

The following are the inscriptions on these memorial tablets : 



l8o • FAYETTE COUNTY, .OHIO. 

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

James S. Buzick, sergeant major; William H. Boyer, hospital steward. 
Company B — Thomas S. Shipley, corporal ; privates, Daniel Bales, 
George Foy, John Sammons, William Roberts. 
Company K — Christian Reichart, private. 

TWENTIETH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

James M. McCoy, captain ; Conrad Garris, Robert J. Irwin, second lieu- 
tenants; George M. Ustick, Henry W. Still, Warfield S. Ball, sergeants; 
George A. Short, Lineaus McClure, James F. Sheets, John Patterson, Benja- 
min W. Tuttle, William Miker, Charles J. Hammond, William T. Highland, 
Henry Casey, corporals; Emanuel Ott, musician; privates, John K. Barnett, 
Harrison Bennett, Charles T. Careter, Isaac Dyer, John W. Friend, Henry 
Garris, John A. Judy, Henry Kelly, Robert Laff, William H. Marion, John 
R. Noral, Strawder Rosebone, John L. Stitt, King B. Stockman, Thomas D. 
Thacker, Hiram Yarner, Guy L. Ball, William R. Bryant, John H. Ceslet, 
W. A. Darby, William W. Dickey, Abraham Friend, James W. King, Johri 
M. Larrimer, David J. Laff, James Mitchell, George E. Paugh, Leander W, 
Reed, Howard A. Stitt. Arthur B. Strom, William Strope, San ford M, 
Thomas, Alfred H. Steel, Isaac T. Ball, Thomas J. Carle, James C. Cesler. 
Samuel Darby, James Eskridge, Benjamin Gear, Peter Garris, Albert S. 
Jones, Andrew J. Kelley. Robert D. Lane, John A. Marion, John Mitchell, 
Samuel Patterson, John A. Shackelford, James R. Stewart, Perry Stothard, 
Perly Varner, Alexander Webb. 

TWENTY-SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company F — John M. Bell, captain; Charles A. White, first lieutenant; 
Jeremiah Houser, second lieutenant: Stephen B. Yeoman, first sergeant; Ed- 
ward M. May, James Scjuier, John S. Wells, sergeants; John C. Allen, 
David Hopkins, Michael Herbert, Joseph McLellan, corporals; privates, 
William C. Allen, Francis L. Blackmore, Ezra O. Brown, Milan Burk, Will- 
iam H. Catlin, John C. Degroot, Alfred Dyre, Starling East, Sanford Fuller- 
ton, Robert Hardwick, John W. Hedrick, George Y. Isenhutt, Newton 
Kimnle. Er^^ra J. Lathan, William McLellan, William Miller, Garrett Neff, 
Granville Plumley, Frank C. x\nkney, Jacob Beals, Samuel Bryant, David 
N. Bush, George W. Coark, Simon Devore, Cornelius Dyre, James W. Ellis, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. l8l 

Rinaldo Ganzle, Christian Hass, Charles W. Hyer, Daniel Jones, Charles 
Kruse, Josiah B. McCoy. Jonathan Marshall, Edmond Millikan, George W. 
Patton, \Villiam Priddy, Charles C. Blakemore, I>evi Brakefield, James E. 
Bnckner, Martin P. Bush, John Crone, Harrison Doster, William Eastman, 
John Foley, Peter Garris, William Hatfield, David Jones, Hugh C. Larimer, 
Thomas McGee, William W. Merrill, Thomas J. Mooney, Spencer Pharis, 
Teander W. Reid, John Reynolds, Luther W. Saxton, John C. Sillick, Free- 
man A. Stewart, Clinton Wimer, James \\\ Richardson, Albert Smith, 
Joseph M. Sims, John L. Stitt, James P. Wyatt, Benjamin F. Young, John 
A. Sanders, Jacob Smith, William Squier, John Webb, Joseph N. Wilson. 

FORTY-FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

(This regiment, in part, was later known as the Eighth Ohio Volunteer 
Cavalry Regiment). Silas F. Edgar, hospital steward. 

Company K — John M. Bell and John C. Allen, captains; Benjamin F. 
Jacobs, Hazael C. Creamer, first lieutenants ; Joseph M. Sims, second lieuten- 
ant ; Alfred PL Jenkins, Abraham Crispin, first sergeants ; Lewis B. Hyer, 
Joel A. Allen, Elijah Mills, Samuel Edwards, William M. Carr, William W. 
Allen, Thomas A. McKinney, Joseph McLellan, Adam W. Allen, John Mor- 
ris, John J. Myers, sergeants. James LL Hogue, Lorenzo D. Crow, William 
H. Mills, James Briggs, Titus Shearer, Joseph B. Straley, James Hanawalt, 
James Penner, James S. Wright, Lewis W. Fent, Able McCandless, John 
Crumrine, William C. Allen ; Isaac Allen, Frederick Mader, Thomas Patton, 
buglers ; Garrett V. Neff, farrier ; William B. Gilmore, saddler ; privates, Adam 
Allen, Francis M. Allen, Joseph Allen, William Barber, Charles E. Blake, Jere- 
miah Brakefield, Martin L. Carr, Henry W. Clay, John M. Collins, John W. 
Curtis, William Dififendorfer, Samuel Dixon, James Ellis, David H. Fox, 
David A. Glass, John F. Greenstead, Allison Grim, John Harper, Batteal Har- 
rison, Henry Hamilton, Samuel W. Herrald, Robert J. Hogue. Samuel Houser, 
George W. Hurley, William C. Jenks, David Allen, Isaac Allen, Albert Alli- 
son, Edwin P. Barrett, Henry Bool. Samuel Bryant. Jesse Bryant, John W. 
Carter, Richard M. Corbin, James R. Creamer, Scott Cumpston, Joseph 
Dixon, Lafayette Dodds, John Fanning, George Frizell, William Grant, 
Elias J. Griffith, William F. Grim, Thomas Harper, Charles W. Hortpense, 
Augustus H. Hains, John W. Herald, Daniel H. Horney, William Hurless, 
Henry A. Jenkins, George Judy, Elijah Allen, Alexander Baggs, Jerome 
Black, Levi Breakfield, Peter L. Byers, Absolom Cheney, Warren D. Cole, 
l^ewis H. Creamer, James L. Day, Samuel R. Dixon, John Edge, Wyatt 



l82 FAYETTE COUNTY, OIIJO. 

P>rrell, Samuel Gilliland, Charles Gorsuch, John A. Gray, Cyrus Harper, 
John A. Harper, Elijah Hatfield, Elijah Herrald, Jesse E. Hogue, Benjamin 
R. Houser, Harrison J. Hurless, James E. Jenkins, Peter Keelan, Elias Kelly, 
Henry K. Landus, David M. Linn, Theodore McLellan, William A. AIc- 
Ginnis, Senia Mills, Joseph Milburn, Samuel Morris. Edward Neff, James 
G. Patton, Philip Planger. Joseph Reid, John D. Runnells, Theodore San- 
ders, Thomas Sharp, John Smith, James Spears, Thomas Stubbs, Hiram 
Taylor, Frusten Thompson, William M. Webb, John Kennedy, John A. 
Large, Maynard C. Linn, IDaniel McDonald, James Maddux, John Mitchner, 
Thomas Mooney, Samuel J. Myers, William C. Newland, John Patton, James 
Powell, Jesse Richardson, Elijah Sanderson, Henry Shackelford, John Sher- 
mer, John E. Smith, Archibald Stinson, Woodbury Talffero, William H. 
Thomas, Abraham Tobin, William A. Wilson, Walter S. Wright, Thomas 
A. Kinney. Aaron S. Linn, William A. McCarty, Francis McKinney, Ches- 
terfield Manning", Henry C. Mitchner, Charles C. Morris/ James A. Mills, 
Clinton Nott, Joshua Peck, Henry Richardson, Nicholas Robinson, William 
Sanderson, Jesse Shackelford, Franklin D. Smith, Benjamin Sodders, John 
Street, Henry Taylor. Cassie Thompson, Andrew J. Webb. Elijah J. Wood, 

FIFTY-FOURTH VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company C — Charles A. White and John S. Wells, captains ; Jeremiah 
Houser, first lieutenant ; John Enoch, second lieutenant. Edmund B. Upde- 
grove, David Jones, Leopold F. Mader, first sergeants ; Charles W. Craig, 
David Hopkins, Robert Wells, Thomas C. Doster, Michael Holland, Harri- 
son Doster, John A. Kuhl, James P. Wyatt, sergeants ; Albert P. Coyner, 
John Reynold, James M. Doster, Isaac N. Rowe, Thomas M. Dowden, Levi 
Ross, corporals ; Edmond Millikan. musician ; privates, John Adams, Francis 
L. Blackmore, John Chaplin. Francis M. Doran, James Duey. Thomas S. 
Edmundson, Anthony Frickers, Thomas C. Fleller, Patrick Kervin, William 
Miller, Robert Nixon, Stephen N. Rowe, Jonathan Sollars, Isaac Smith, 
William Starr. John Tammany, Henry Whitner, William Adams, James M. 
Boughn, William Coffee, Dennis Dorman, Andrew J. Dowell, John R, Duey, 
Mathias Engle, James M. Goldberry, Joseph Hyer, William D. Keith, Hugh 
McNeal. John N. Peacock, Leonard Sahm, Isaac Shields, Israel Smith, Sam- 
uel Sever, Anthony Tucker, Charles Willson, Erastus Barkell, M. Burk, 
John C. Connor, John W. Dorman, Otho Dowden. William Eastman, Joseph 
Fountain. Henry M. Grove. Timothy Hixon, Edward King. Fergus Nixon, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1 83 

William Priddy, Samuel Sollars, Albert Siddons, Silas M. Smith, Peter Tam- 
many, Oliver VanPelt, Joseph Wilson. 

Company I — Jeremiah House, captain; David Jones„ first lieutenant. 
Luther W. Saxton, second lieutenant ; Joseph Dolan, John P. Mercer, ser- 
geants ; Jacob Bales, corporal ; privates, Eber C. Allen, Andrew Bales, Joseph 
Driscoll, James G. Greaves, Peter Henderson, Jacob Ibes, Usual Kibbal, 
Isaac Lytle, Thomas Siddons, William Allen, Michael Boney, John Drury, 
William H. Groves, John High, Z. T. Johnson, John Kilmartin, Willis Par- 
ker, Albert W. White, Henry Belt, Richard W. Campion, Jacob Dumond, 
Jonathan Garrison, John Ibes, Thomas Jones, John Lovell, Archibald Stits- 
worth, John D. Vince. / 

Company A — ^Joseph Morris, chaplain; Stephen B. Yeoman, Luther W. 
Saxton, Edmund B. l"pdeg"ro^'e, captains ; James Depoy, Judson AlcCoy, first 
lieutenants. Henry C. Wimer, Norman Shellers, first sergeants; Harrison 
Cline, Ezra J. Latham, Peter Ulmer, Walter L. Hill, William Sick, Henry 
Johnson, Elias Tracy, Samuel E. Hamilton, sergeants ; James K. Ayers, 
Harvey Rogers, James T. Emery, William Feagins, Thomas Hagne, John 
Eitchorn, corporals; David Wright, musician; John Shoemaker, wagoner; 
privates, Isaac Abner, James Calkins, Nahum Chesley, Ruphus Degroot, 
George Eberheart, James Henry, David Ibes, Samuel Kern, Adam Krant, 
Thomas J. Lindsey, William Micham, Jacob Mistier, John N. Offill, John 
Piggott, William Radtkey, Calum Rumer, John A. Sanderson, Charles P. 
Smith, Simon P. Spangler, John Staley, John White, James Wimer, William 
D. Wood, John Baker, Jefferson Sedle, John Coil, Patrick Driscol, Joshua 
Eurgeson, James Heffley, Paul Jones, Simon Kalter, Eielding Latham, John 
D. Long, Thomas J. Miller, Levi Murphy, Benjamin Offill, George Peppen- 
ger, James W. Richardson, William D. Rumer, John Servis, Ignatius H. 
Smith, Levi C. Star, Sanford Tucker, Joseph White, Elijah Williams, Robert 
D. Blue, Michael Cedle, Simon Coil, William Ducy, David Hedrick, William 
Holcomb, Martin Joice, Karl Kranter, David Lindsey, Levi Morrow, John. 
H. Miller, Lucian McCullom, John Retry, Jacob C. Rankin, John W. 
Rhoads, Simon P. Sanderson, Henry Sherer, John H. Smith, Henry S. Steel, 
Davis Turner, Nathaniel White, Levi Wright, Peter Yager. 

SIXTIETH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company C — George B. Gardner, captain ; Robert Stewart, first lieu- 
tenant ; Erank C. Ankney, Samuel Trumper, second lieutenants. Joseph N. 
Wilson, first sergeant; Wilson B. Logan, Newton Kimble. Samuel Avers» 



184 FAYETTE COUNTY; OHIO. 

James S. Dowden, sergeants; Robert Mackey, Miles Merritt, William T. 
Alexander, Otho W. Bostwick, Otis B. Messmore, David M. Clarridge, 
Joseph B. Blackmore, Benjamin F. Tanquary. James W. Horney, corporals; 
Ralph J. Smith, James C. Stewart, musicians; privates, Charles H. Ankney, 
James Babb, Porter Berman, Wyatt D. Blakemore, Isaac Bromfield, Jackson 
Carmean, William Corkwell. Samuel P. Dail, Isaac Depoy, William H. 
Dodds, James W. Duffee, Michael Fisher, Elin B. Archer, Thomas Bedford, 
James Blair, Eli Bereman, James B. Bush, John S. Clark, George Coffman, 
James Davis, Joseph Dixon, James H. Drain, Nicholas Eskew, Nathan J. 
Foley, Henry Babb, William C. Benson. Thomas Brannon, Thomas J. Brake- 
field, Jacob Carder, Jasper N. Clark, Jonas Crawford, Joseph Daugherty, 
Andrew Dittman, George W. Duffee, Isaac Fisher, Benjamin -F. Ford, Zebu- 
Ion Ford, Robert Giblin, Augustus H. Hains, Mathew J. Parkins, Adolphus 
Malone. Myers Mitchell, Hugh McNeal, Vespian Phoebus, Marcellus Ra- 
cobes, John G. Scott, David Shaw, George H. Sites, Edward Smith, James 
A. Sitsworth, Thomas J. Wadsworth, James S. Wright, William C. Wright, 
John A. Fulton. Charles M. Goodlander, Simon L. Hidy, Daniel Leguire, 
James E. Marine, George Mees, Cornelius O'Driskill, Alexander Price, 
George J. Rodgers, Francis M. Selsor, John W. Shepp, Joseph Eidons, James 
Smith, Ezra C. Taylor, Henron Wells, Jacob J. Wood, Henry Gano, Albert 
Grim, Arthur Latham, Samuel Longnecker, Nathan Miller, William D. 
Myers, Brantny B. Ott, Emanuel Purnell, Lycurgas P. Saxton, Able Sey- 
mour, James N. Shoop, Robert L. Silcott, Samuel M. Smith, Isaac J. Vance, 
A\Mlliam Wells, John Wood. 

Company H — Manfred Willard, captain ; James M. Vance, Edmund S. 
Young, first lieutenants. John J. Myers, second lieutenant ; James W. Morris/^ 
first sergeant ; Leander C. Hicks, Thomas Rankin, Benjamin F. Cook, Ed- 
ward Fowler, sergeants ; William McDaniel, Henry B. Clemens, Abraham 
Wagoner, Nathaniel Morris, Madison Kirk, David C. Howell, Ralph J. 
Trenian, Joseph Holmes David J. Jones, Daniel Ryan, corporals ; Robert A. 
Robinson, Henry H. Bailey, musicians; Charles Stafford, wagoner; privates, 
Joseph W. Allen, George Baney, John Betts, Milton Burnett, William H. 
Catlin, Oliver K. Corbit, George Dewey, Patrick Flinn, Samuel W. Garnett, 
William McGlenn, George Glenn, William H. Grimes, Emanuel Hardin, 
James Hicks, Charles W. Hyer, Daniel J. Janes, Evan Jonrs, Rayborn Kirk, 
Lewis Leveck, George Leveck, James McDonald, George McMicken, John 
W. Noil, Noah Parrett, Evan D. Perry, Solomon D. Phyfogle, Edward C. 
Reynolds, James Baker, Platof Bailey, Rolland B. Brewer, John Bush, 
George Church, William Criss, William McDurham, Edward Ford, Alfred 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 185 

E. Garnett, \\ illiam G. Gillespie, James H. C. Graham, Jacob Groves, Batael 
Y. Harrison, Samuel A. Holmes, Milton Hyer, Abel H. Janes, Allen Keller, 
Samuel Le\-ick, Benjamin L.ingo, Samuel Maddux, Donald McDonald, James 
M. Newland, James Orr. James O. Pearce, William Pope. Daniel Radley, 
Daniel Redding, Henry Baker, Jacob Beck, Charles Bryant, Martin Bush, 
Joseph Church, Alexander S. Cross, James Evans, Arthur J. Fry, John 
Gates, Abraham Gossard, John Gray, Isac Hallam, Francis M. Hicks, Enoch 
Hutchison, John G. Jamison, Jenkin Jones, John H. Kellerman. John Leveck, 
Jesse Lister, Isaac N. Mark, Thomas McKee, William C. Newland, Thomas 

F. Parrett, Thomas Peple, Alexander Prose, William C. Reynolds, Alexan- 
der J. Rodgers, John W. Roebuck, James P. Smith, Thomas M. Sulser, John 
Tucker, Jabez Thomas, Ripley M. Wain, Oliver Wilson, James Smith, Sam- 
uel Septer, Ransom Sears, John M. Thompson, David Tupes, Stephen T. 
Warden, Noah W. Wood, George Smith, Benjamin F. Rodgers, Curtis M. 
Shoemaker, George W. Treman, Robert White, George Zimmerman. 

SIXTY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company B — Franklin Flee, first sergeant. 
Company E — Milton Blaze, private. 
Company F — Obediah Ackley, private. 
Company I — William A. Brown. John L. Reed, privates. 
Company K— Edward Cupp, Charles W. Barnes, Theodore Garner, pri- 
vates. 

SEVENTY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company B — William S. Mathews, private. 

Company C— William H. Hughes, sergeant; privates, Abraham Ander- 
son, Franklin H. Bloomer, John Ray. 

Company D — Samuel Nelson, private. 

Company E — William B. Davis, captain. 

Company G — David L. Griner, first lieutenant ; Edwin M. Furry, Jasper 
C. Briggs, William H. Limes, Henson C. Irion, first sergeants; John D. 
Stuckey, William B. Griner, Elmer W. Welsheimer, William Hundell, James 
Zimmerman, corporals; Andrew J. Borden, George Borden, musicians; pri- 
vates, Charles E. Aber, Joseph Horsman, Henry Miller, Jonathan Painter, 
Anthony Ross, John M. Elliott, George Hudnell, William H. Orr, Henry 
Painter, James E. Todhunter, Isaac Sperry, Cyrus Ellis, Henry H. Mark, 
Lewis Painter, Strawder Priddy, Isaac Smith. 



1 86 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Company H — Thomas M. Gray, James Sanderson, lieutenant and ser- 
geant, respectively ; Samuel Sanderson, Thomas C. Wallace, corporals ; pri- 
vates. Wellington Doddridge, Jacob Fetherling. 

Company I — Josiah Bryant, first sergeant ; Robert Scott, sergeant ; James 
Withgott and Jacob Eckle, corporals; privates, William W. Doster, Norman 
Hyer, Robert W. Scott, Silas Doster, Thomas J. McLellan, Simon P. Van- 
pelt, Nelson Withgott, John Harper, Sylvester Sampson, Joseph F. Vanpelt. 

EIGHTY-FIRST REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Robert N. Adams, brigadier-general; William B. Rush, adjutant. 

Company C — William W. Merrill, Charles Depoy, Henry Depoy, ser- 
geants ; John O. Adams, James Rigdon, corporals ; Nathan W. Crooks, musi- 
cian ; privates, Levv^is R. Barr, James Dill, Randolph Milburn, Joseph H. 
Bennett, Benjamin Rigdon, Isaac Rife. 

Company I — John B. Schum, first sergeant; George A. Buchanon, 
Thomas N. Ghormly, Joseph Schum, corporals ; privates, Charles J. Bell, 
James Crawford, Junius Hudnell, Henry Long, James N. Beatty, Jonas 
Crawford, John W. Kneedler, David R. Crawford, Isaac Hudnell, John W. 
Griffith, Alexander Long. 

NINETIETH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Samuel N. Yeoman, colonel; James F. Cook, major. 

Company C — Robert D. Caddy, Alonzo W. Black, Samuel W. Stuckey, 
captains; Jacob Bush, Archibald M. Rodgers, John W. Harper, second lieu- 
tenants; Burgess Watts, first sergeant; James P. Fent, Jacob S. Cockerill, 
George T. Haskins, George W. Powell, Charles Caddy, Martin L. Mock, 
sergeants ; Jacob Krebbs, George Miller, David Mock, Isaac J. Dennon, Will- 
iam Beatty, Leroy Wilson, Daniel A. Janes. John C. Fifer, Evan L. Janes, 
William M. Boughn, John C. Murphy, corporals. Alexander B. Creamer, 
Louis F. Stoltzenburg, Cyrus B. Lakin, musicians ; privates, Aaron Allen, 
William Allen, Albert Bonecutter, Medrith Bowen, William Bonecutter, John 
W. Cahill, David C. Conner, Jahu Creamer. Jacob T. Doster, Hiram G. 
Duff, John W. Engle, Phillip N. Fent, George N. Groves, William Hidy, 
John C. Hogue, George W. Horney, Marshall Hosier, Thomas A. Jenkins, 
Newton McGinnis, John H. Mahoy, Marion Myers, George Richardson, 
Marion Russell, Solomon G. Snowden, George P. Straley, Ephraim Allen, 
Harvey S. Barney, Ferdinand Bonecutter, John W. Boughn, Biglow Brown, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1 87 

David Calhoun, George W. Conner, Lewis Creamer, John N. Doyle, John J. 
Dnfif, Otho Engle. Samuel IFax, William Hammond, Robert J. Highland, 
W^illiam A. Holston, Oliver E. Horney. William H. James, Moses C. King, 
Harmon Mclntire, Benjamin Miller, James N. Parrett, Paris Robinson, 
Charles J. Sharrett, Jesse Spurlock, W^estly F. Straley, William H. Allen, 
William C. Benson, Martin Bonecutter, Joseph H. Boughn, John Burton, 
Samuel H. Carr, George H. Creamer, Wesley M. Creamer, Edward C. Duff. 
John W. Ellis, James Feeney, Daniel Gordon, Lewis Hatfield, Amzi Hyer, 
Ferris Horney, James Horney, Oliver B. Jeffries, William A. Lynch, Harvey 
LeValley. William J. McVey, John S. Parrett, Daniel Rupert, Jackson Smith, 
Milton Spurlock, Leander W. Taylor, Elon Thornton, Phillips Tumblin, 
Henry W'iley, Eli W^ood, John S. Tracy, Andrew Ulmer, Samuel W. Will- 
iams, Benjamin Wooley, William Wybright. Joseph Tracy. Gideon Vesey, 
Thomas C. Williams, William W. Wood. 

Company A — Francis M. Black, captain; John McDonald, private. 

Company F — James C. Todd, sergeant; James W. Lloyd, corporal; 
privates, Alfred Britton. Ashton Briggs. James Briggs. James D. Chafin, 
James W. Ramey, Robert Chittum. 

Company G — Bruce F. Green, private. 

Company K — Morris B. Rowe, captain; Edward A. Elliott. Jonathan 
Ellis, first lieutenants. Lewis W^ Reahard. second lieutenant ; John M. Gib- 
son, first sergeant; David Cameron, Henry C. Larimer, Harvey Culberson, 
John W. Silcott, Thomas Finnegan, sergeants ; John W. Kinney, George B. 
Carle, William FL Weller, William Miller, Henry Harper, Jonathan Rich- 
ardson, Michael Kleber, David Defenbaugh, John C. Core, Samuel S. Stover, 
James P. Mills. Benjamin E. Orr, corporals ; John W. Craig, David Throck- 
morton, musicians ; John Foster, wagoner ; privates. Phillip C. Adams, George 
Anderson, William Bennett, John T. Burk, Anthony W. Clarridge, George 
W. Downey, James W. Fitchorn, William Gift'ord, Randolph Green, John C. 
Grim, George M. Hampton, Frederick Horning, John W. Johnson, Henry S. 
Kleber. Charles Long, Isaac McKeever, James Morgan, Edward R. Ott, 
Richard Parker. Jonathan Powless. John Propts, George W. Row^e, Simon 
Shiflet, Lafayette Strope. Isaac Thompson. Richard Venemon, Jonathan D. 
Williams. William Adams, Thomas E. Armstrong, William Bonewright, 
Robert M. Christy, Lewis O. Cline, Benjamin F. Elliott, James Gibson, John 
W. Godin, Elijah Griffith. William Grim, John Hemphill, Daniel Johnson. 
Bazil A. Jones, Samuel R. Lambert. Benjamin D. McArthur. James D. Mc- 
Mahan, Samuel Moyer. Joseph H. Ott. James H. Parris, Ami Propts. John 
G. Reif, Solomon Salmon. William Smith, John Stumbaugh. Hugh Tumil- 



l88 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

son, William H. \\'renburg, Henry Albert. Charles E. Barnes, Jesse Bunker, 
William Clabaugh, James Culberson, Solomon W. Ely, James Gifford, Will- 
iam A. Goings, Albert Grim, Flenry Grubb, Andrew Henlin, Elijah Johnson, 
William Kevser, Da^•id Eively, Thomas S. ]\IcDonald, Heniy Mitchell, Pat- 
rick ]\lurphv, Douglas Owens, Nathan Pearson, George Propts, Benjamin 
Robey, Harrison Shiflet, George Streets, Thomas Summers, Frederick Tur- 
ner, Howard Wimer, Shadrack C. Wroten. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company B — Enoch A. Needles, private. 

Company F — Leander Pancoast, corporal. 

Company G — x\lvan L. Messmore, captain ; Jeremiah J. Riggin, ser- 
geant; John W. Beal, corporal; privates, John J. Bishop, Henry Gilleiiwaters, 
George Hartinger, Elijah Robey, Isaac Timmons, William C. Bostwick, 
Perry Girard, Andrew Miller, Elias Streets, Benjamin F. Bostwick, Levi 
Griffin, John W. Rodgers, Henry Strawbridge, William H. Timmons. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company D — Scott Harrison, first captain; Allen Hegler, second cap- 
tain ; Jess Johnson, Aurelius Messmore, first lieutenants ; Lemuel Dyre, sec- 
ond lieutenant ; William H. Crow, Algred Dyre, Allison M. Ware, John J. 
Harrison, Ellison Dewitt, Andrew V. Orr, sergeants. Amiannus Cockerill, 
Robert V. Anderson, John McMicken, Noble P. Mouser, John Alkire, J. G. 
Doster, corporals ; Valentine Tharp, wagoner ; privates, Peter Adams, Ed- 
ward N. Bailey, William Blizzard, John Collihan, Thomas Cockerill, Harri- 
son Davis, Isaac T. Alfree, John Barker, M. Brantley Bryant, Robert Clark, 
Silas Compton, Samuel Davis. Thomas AlloAvays, Jackson Bryant, Joseph H. 
Clarridge, Joseph Daugherty, William H. Davis, Eli Durum, John P. A. 
Dickey, Harvey Evans. Thornton Feagins, James Fershee, Timothy Garner, 
James R. Groves, Timothy Hollihan, Thomas H. Howard, James L. Lanum, 
Charles A. Miller. James Pain, W^illiam Ramey, Emanuel Sites, Edward F. 
Sorrell, Lemuel Streets, William Toops. John M. Wildman, Felix Devore, 
Henry Draise, Samuel Eyman, Joseph Fleming, Robert J. Freshee, David 
Gilinwater, Fjnanuel Hardin, Orange S. Hopkins, Albert Jolly, Allen G. 
Mayo, Isaac M. Miller. Joseph Pain, William Reynolds, Joseph Sites, Elijah 
Streets. Solomon J. Syford, John Toops, William Devore, George Elwood, 
Samuel Petty, John G. Freshee, John Fridley, George Grim, John Hartman, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 189 

William S. Hopkins, John Jones, Valentine Mayo, William Miller, Benjamin 
F. Peart, Benjamin F. Shepherd, James Sollers, George Streets, Fletcher 
Toops, Robert Vance, John C. Wood. 

Company A — James Snyder, private. 

Company B — John Pickering, captain ; private, Nicholas Williams. 

Company E — James E. Dunlap, captain; Alexander S. Thompson, first 
sergeant; Joseph Britton, James JMurphy, corporals; privates, Samuel Coover, 
James I""ulton. Tilman Hamilton, John Kelley. James F. Matson, George W. 
Parker, John Shannahan, John Tucker, James Crawford, Felix R. Hatfield, 
William Fless, Moses Koons, Thomas Murphy, George W. Sanderson, Ward 
Strope, Francis M. Vincent, Andrew H. Wilkins, William Daugherty, Albert 
Hause, John G. Johnson, Joseph P. McVey, David Parker, John Shannon, 
James W. Timmons, Harness Vincent. 

Company I — William H. Grubbs, private. 

Company H — William Caar, private. 

Company C — James W. Cleveland, John C. Hays, captains ; James M. 
Davis, first lieutenant ; Joseph Knight, Reuben T. Kenedy, James Eskridge, 
second lieutenants ; James A. McLean, first sergeant ; James S. Robinson, 
Richard Hutchison, Henry L. Robinson, Nathaniel Tway, sergeant; John A. 
Paul, George W. Woodland, Allen T. Doran, James Ragan, Benjamin F. 
Kimberly, William H. Thompson, Robert N. Stuckey, Thomas Fleming, 
Henry Curran, corporals ; Uriah H. Parvin, Joseph C. Cripps, musicians, 
privates, Charles Abbott, Rees Binnigar, William Butler, Joseph Crosby, 
Thomas M. Duff, William E. Evans, John Bay, Henry Bolin, Orin Chesly, 
Abner Davis, Zebulon Earle, John Flynn, AVilliam Bay, Andrew Bradon, 
David Cowling, Paul Dumond, John Eckle, Allen T. Garner, Lewis Brubbs, 
Simon C. Groves, Samuel Hay, Peter Ibes, John Judy, Bartholomew Long, 
Horace E. Lydy, Baldwin H. Millikan. John E. Morris, Samuel Reese, An- 
drew Saxton, James H. Smith, Jacob Stuckey, Patrick Smith, Charles Van- 
pelt, John W. Woodland, Samuel Zimmerman, William C. Goldsberry, Ran- 
dolph Hammond, Elijah Hill, John W. Jenkins, Arthur Latham, James C. 
Long, John Melvin, Isaac Miller, John O. Ott, Allen R. Robinson, William 
Sexton, John L. Stitt, William Swaney, Jacob Tracy, William Watters, 
Henry Young, John S. Gordon, James Hanna, James Hughes, James M. 
Jones, David D. L.indersmith. Oliver Long, Michael Mungold, Jesse Morgan, 
Ambrose Paul, Joseph Ryan, Isaac Smith, Henry Stroble, James Thompson, 
Allen Tway, Leonodis White, Joseph Young, W^illiam Zimmerman. 



IQO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-NINTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company A — Jacob Kelhofer, private. 

Company B — Samuel Hartley, David Reynolds, William Plymire. 

Companv C — Lewis C. Mallow, sergeant; Jacob Light, Cyrus Patch, 
corporals; privates, William A. Allemang, Joseph Day, William W. Corey, 
Henry Peck, William W. Rine, Isaac P. Smithers. 

Company E — Nathaniel Rout. 

Company G — Marcellus J. McAfee. 

Company H — Joseph Carman, William Jones, sergeants; Joseph N. 
Timmons, corporal; privates, John Nier, Eli Kise, Solomon Kimmey. 

Company K — John M. Johnson, sergeant. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Conrad Garris, colonel; Edmund E. ^^'ood, adjutant; William M. Blan- 
din, sergeant-major; James R. Stewart, quartermaster sergeant. 

Company C — William H. Hogue, captain; Samuel Ayers, first lieuten- 
ant; John L. Barnes, second lieutenant; Daniel L. Robey, first sergeant; 
Henry C. Wimer, William F. Hill, Thomas Riley, John M. Smith, sergeants. 
Jackson Powell, Alfred H. Mark, Isaac Teter, Russell B. Dolphins, William 
H. Steel, Charles P. Smith. Allen Latham. Jacob Smith, corporals; privates, 
Isaac W. Bennett, Joseph Blaser. Thomas Coil, Jr., George Devolt, Hiram 
G. Duff, Andrew Eannon, Jacob M. Gray, Allen Hartman. John J. Horney, 
Harvey Jacks. Robert Johnson. Elam Kittle, Thomas Lambert, Jacob Mees, 
William A. Rankin, Isaac Shockley, Robert C. Spurlock, Samuel Williss, 
John Zortman, Madison Tobin, John J. Blair, Walter Bush, ilsaac Constant, 
Jahue Doan, Isaac Eastlack, Jacob Eannon, Henry Grant, Robert Hender- 
son. David H. Jacks, Andrew^ J. Jenkins. John Keller. John Kittle, Bela 
Latham. William Peggs, George Rupert. William A. Smith. Henry Tobin, 
Moses Wright, Jacob Tobin, Robert H. Blair. Thomas Coil. Sr., John W. 
Davis. Harvey Duff. George W. Elbe. Bartholomew Euel, Joshua Haines, 
James Hixon, Harmon Jacks, Henry C. Johnson, Henry Kettman, Smith 
Lambert, Tchabod Meade. John Perdam. William H. Rupert, Wells B. Sol- 
lars, James Williss. David Yarger. Joseph Tobin. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. IQI 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company D — Thomas F. Parrett, Abel H. Janes, James F. Robinson, 
J. W. Browning, captain, lieutenant and first sergeant, respectively as given ; 
J. M. Creamer, Thomas McGee, Jesse Heglar, Noah B. Parrett, sergeants ; 
Raybourn Kirk, Elon Thornton, M. K. Wright, Jacob Grove, Milton Miller, 
J. J. Wowell, Elijah Shoemaker, J. W. Miller, William G. Weimer, corpor- 
als ; privates, L. F. Adkins, Timothv Bergin, C. L. Bush, George Clindince. 
Wesley Cox, J. W. Eddings, Jonas Geer, G. W. Gordon, John Hamilton, 
George Hines, Enoch Jeffries, C. S. McMillen, F. A. Moreland, L. E. Par- 
rett, William S. Ried, J. M. Allen, J. R. Brady, C. A. Chaney, J. S. Clin- 
lince, M. C. Creamer, G. W. Elliott, W. S. Glaze, A. W. Graham, J. C. Hays, 
W. T. Howard, Harvey Kimball, Robert Mackey, J. A. Parrett, Sr., John 
Reardon, Alexander Rodgers, Abel Armstrong, Henry Braithwait, W. B. 
Chaney, Martin Coin, M. S. Creamer, J. B. Fent, J. W. Godfrey, Smith 
Gray, Jacob Heavener, D. R. Jacobs, George McDaniel, J. S. Mills, J. A. 
Parrett, Jr.. A. L. Reid, Isaiah Rotruck, Austin Sanders, Henry Shoemaker, 
William Smith. F. B. Taylor, Joseph Thompson, R. A. Wallace, J. F. Seaton, 
Jasper Shoemaker, William Stonghton, George Taylor, Jacob Ulmer, Daniel 
Weimer, Lycurgus White, John W. Sheley, John Shoemaker, David Taylor, 
Moses Thomas, John Ulmer, J. S. Whitcomb. 

Company K — Edwin E. Retter, Lewis H. Mark, William Reid, Edwin 
O. Kershner, captain, first and second lieutenant, first sergeants, in order 
given; John Kruft, William P. Dick, Joseph Horsman, George W. Conner, 
sergeants; Henry S. Adams, Cornelius Wou, Harmon Rowe, William L. 
Wertz, George Niroud, John H. Ferguson, Jacob Coble, William C. Worth- 
ington, corporals. Alfred Mead, John H. Stahesel, musicians; privates, Henry 
Affleck, Frank Allen, Patrick Bilew, .Frederick Bowman, James W. Cannon. 
Joseph A. Coffee, Solomon Depoy, Samuel L. Goldsberry, John C. Han, 
Henry Hidy, Francis Jelicer, Samuel Kirkpaterick, William Affleck, Ezra 
Barnzhof, George W. Bonecutter. William V. Bay, Cyrus Carey, Otho Dav- 
idson, Joshua Fisher, William Goldsberry, Christie Harris, Simon L. Hidy, 
Raymond W. Jones, William Kirkpaterick, Clement Allen, Walter Beebe, 
John H. Bought, Adam Brinkman, William Clark, Milton Depoy. Henry 
Fry, Samuel Hallan, Patrick J. Hickey, Samuel F. Hilderbrand, Nathaniel 
G. Kershner, George Lentz, Jesse I>. Limes, William May, Amos D. Moffatt, 
John Neil, Elias Friddy, William H. Rowe, Emanuel Rumler, William C. 
Smith, Joseph Trussinger, Benjamin Walter, Thomas J. Lindsey, William C. 



192 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mead, Hiram Mowen, James M. Newland, Isaac C. Printy, Levi Rowe^ 
James M. Sollars, Mathew F. Stuckey, Noah Trussinger, James H. Wilson, 
Enoch Mann. Brady Myers, WilHam O'Day, Jacob Ringwalt, Edward D. 
Smith, Charles C. Swope, Abner Vanness, Jasper Wright. 

Company F — Ephraim Henkle. captain; Abraham Gossard, first lieu- 
tenant ; Samuel Mark, second lieutenant ; Edward Cline, first sergeant ; Zebu- 
Ion Smith, Charles S. Snook, Isaac N. Mark, Jefferson Moberly, sergeants,' 
Hiram P. Wagoner, Daniel C. Bush, Elihu Burnett, Henry R. Arnold, Elisha 
H. Baughn, Curren W. Henkle, Andrew J. Cline, Nathan R. Johnson, cor- 
porals; privates, Albert Anders, Adam Blazer, x\lbert Bryant. Martin P. 
Bush, John S. Bush, Fielding Curtis. Henry Fanshier, Richard Gordon, 
George W. Henderson, Abraham Hizer, Milton Hyer, John Mason, Peter 
Moore, Jacob Parrett, Henderson Paul. Alpheus Arnold, George W. Brown, 
Jesse H. Burnett, Benjamin F. Bush, Philip Carr, Richard Draper, James 
Fanshier, Sampson Gordon, Samuel Henderson, Anderson Hyer, Thomas 
A. Lacy, John W. Milburn, John W. Newland, Charles Patton, Daniel Peter- 
son, Charles W. Auld, Peter E. Brown, Austin Bush, Henry L. Bush. John 
W. Credit, Wesley Dye, Granville Freeman, Andrew Harrison, Simeon W. 
Henkle, Charles W. Hyer, John W. Mark, Henry H. Moon, Henry Parkin- 
son, Enoch G. Paugh, Jesse Peterson, Andrew Pummill, William C. Schmitt, 
Walter W. Shoop. John M. Smith, Robert Tudor, N. G. Upp, Charles R. 
Williams, John W. Pummill. George W. Sever, William H. Shoop, John T. 
Taylor, Daniel Tupes. William Upp, Jacob Williams, Jeremiah Wood, 
Franklin Rowe. William T. Shelton, George Smith, John Tudor, David 
Tupes, Benjamin Webb, Howard Williamson. 

Company G — Thomas Rankin, captain. William J. Horney, first lieu- 
tenant; Samuel B. Straley, second lieutenant; James Straley, first sergeant; 
Copesey D. Martin, Joseph Turner, Henry Huffman, Joseph Straley, ser- 
geants ; John G. Wimer, Llorace Ballard, Jonas Coons, John Cole. James W. 
King, John V. B. Martin. Washington West, Jacob Mills, corporals; pri- 
vates, Charles W. Allen. William Carnes, John D. Clidence. John S. Conger, 
Samuel Edge, George Allen, Oliver S. Carr, Henry Clousing, John Conner, 
John C. Fifer, John Baker, J. W. Chaney, Joseph A. Coffey, William R. 
Creamer, Mathias Flax, John M. Grant, Elijah C. Griffith, Thomas Harper, 
Moses L. Hawk, Francis Langen, Jacob Miller, John A. Patton, Smith 
Rankin, John B. Sanderson, John A. Shackleford, Jefferson J. Sodders, An- 
drew J. Taylor, Samuel B. Tobin. Edmund West, Henry B. Williams, Frank- 
lin Gray, Nathaniel L. Griffith, James W. Hart, Solomon Hidy, Alexander 
S. Lemon, Owen D. Mills, Phillip Powell, ^^'illiam Redding, Samuel N. San- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. I93 

derson, John A. Sheley, Nathan W. Smith, Barnabus B. Thayer, William 
Tostett, William \\'est, Jacob M. Gray, George W. Harper, Elias Hatfield, 
Murrell Hosier, Charles L. Martin, Patrick Mnrry, James Rankin, David 
Rotruck, Samuel Shafer, Andrew J. Sodders, William Snyder, Samuel 
Thomas, Charles Turner, Amos Whitehead, John W. Williams. 

Company I — Lewis Painter, captain ; William H. Orr, first lieutenant. 
Cyrus Ellis, second lieutenant; R. J. Yeoman, first sergeant; William P. 
Irion, Joseph Bonham, Joseph Wain, Edward E. Cockerill, I. N. Vanpelt, 
sergeants; Lewis Doster, T. G. McElroy, Morris R. Ellis, Milton Robbins, 
William C. Eyre, John F. Zimmerman, Thomas H. Dewees, corporals; A. 
W. Johnson, musician; Jonathan Jones, wagoner; privates, Samuel C. Adams, 
William M. Breakfield, James Cockerill, Samuel Crooks, James Devore, 
Henry Doster, Silas Edwards, Daniel H. Hadley, Cale H. Johnson, Isaac 
M. Johnson, Nathaniel A. Jones, James T. Kennedy, William H. Limes,. 
Isaac Merchant, Hugh Pernell, Nelson Post, James W. Smith, Leander C. 
Smith, Watson D. Smith, Henry Sprunce, Charles Turner, Mannassa Bor- 
rer, James E. Bryant, Newton Cockerill, Hermanas Davis, Clayborn Doster, 
William H. Doyle, James E. Ellis, George N. Hompton, Davis Johnson, 
Joseph A. Johnson, Austin Jury, George W. Kinzer, John Lloyd, James N. 
Murry, N. L. Phillips, Starwder Priddy, John J. Smith, Levi Smith, Samuel 
Sollars, James S. Templeton, Bernard Waters, Armstead Brady, William 
Chalfant, William C. Coffey, Scott H. Davis, Harvey T. Doster, Lewis 
Dutton, Robert M. Fernour, James Holmes, Henry Johnson, William John- 
son. Allen Kelly, John Kinzer, Samuel McDaniel, Charles Painter, John A. 
Pine, Jabez Smith, Josephus Smith, Peter W. Smith, Wells B. Solloars^ 
John B. Templeton, Marmaduke Wells. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIFTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company D — John W. Shepp, James H. C. Graham, Ezra C. Taylor, 
sergeants; Wesley Ouigley, David S. Morgan, Timothy Pancoast, Jacob 
Carr, corporals ; James C. Stewart, Eli Bereman. musicians ; George Logan, 
wagoner, privates, Nicholas Askew, David Clark, Samuel Hanson, Henry C. 
Shell, Othelo Timmons, James Blair, Abraham Colaw, Samuel A. Holmes, 
Edward G. Saxton, John W. Sawyer, John H. Vigor, Wesley Bybee, Will- 
iam Crabtree, Lafayette Nutt, Nathan Shobe, William Underwood. 

Company A — George W. Butters. 

Company E — George R. Pensvl, Warren E. Cole. 
(13) 



1^4 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Company G — Joseph E. Walker. 
Company H — John W. Weimer. 

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company F — Jerome Sherrette, captain; Wilham H. Mitchem, first 
sergeant ; Joseph Trussinger, corporal ; privates, Henry Adams, John Bone- 
cutter, John H. Cubbage, Jesse N. Goodson, Wesley Holcomb, George King, 
George Nevergall, James Propts, Wilson Reece, James W. Smith, Jacob 
Williams, George Bodher, James Butcher, Scott H. Davis, William Harner, 
Allen Highland, Joseph Luddy, Jacob Persinger, John H. Parks, Henry 
Silcott, James Spurlock, James Barker, John W. Cripps, David M. Doggett, 
John Holcomb, Henry P. Johnson, Reece M. Moon, Jacob Propts, George 
Rodgers. Jackson Stafford, Vernon ^^'illiams, Marcellus Wood. 

Company D — Marcellus J. McAfee. 

TWELFTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. 

Company A — Privates, William B. Adams, Samuel Hamilton, Edward 
May, Lawson A. Parrett, Felix M. Drais, Francis L. Kirk, John Meyer, 
Harmon E. Parrett, Josiah B. Ely, George Judy, Josiah B. McCoy, Peter 
Pool. 

Company G — John Coughlin. 

FIFTEENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. 

Company C — Danile Bales. Jasper Mantel, William W. Corey, John 
Souls, Edward Peasley, Socratees Lydy. 

EIGHTEENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. 

Company C — Heni-y Dixon, M. G. H. Smith, G. Dixon. 

NINETEENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. 

'Company K — William McCoy. 

FOURTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY (MEXICAN WAR). 

Company C — Benjamin F. Jacobs. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I95 

FIRST OHIO CAVALRY. 

Company A — John H. Robinson, Joseph A. O. Yeoman, Noah Jones, 
captains; Samuel H. Hooker, Albert E. Chester, John N. McElwain, Mar- 
cus T. C. Williams, first lieutenants; George P. Barnes, Sr., second lieutenant; 
Joseph Swamley, Henry J. Harrison, Robert W. Vincent, first sergeants. 
John Backenstoe, John W. McElwain, quartermaster sergeants ; James Squire, 
Henry C. Denious, commissary sergeants ; Abraham Thomas, Henry E. 
Kingman, Henry Keifer, George W. Tremain, Elihu Judy, Abner R. Riggin, 
George P. Barnes, Jr.. Justice V. Ellster, William McMaster, John C. Ball, 
John Hidy, James A. Gunning, sergeants; Thomas J. Hoover, Madison 
Squire, John Bentz, Ripley M. Wain, Henry T. Resler, Stephen Ransom, 
Peter Getz, Samuel J. Robertson, William Tudor, Frank Foulk, Reuben S. 
Short, William J. Besler, Hiram B. Ferguson, William H. Baxley, Thomas 
D. McElwain, Samuel L. Gillespie, buglers ; Paschal J. Johnson, Simon 
Doran, Thomas J. Mooney, farriers ; Leonx Campbell, saddler ; privates, 
Nathaniel Adams, Benjamin Allen, Joseph Bates, Francis L. Blackmore, 
Jesse M. Bloomer, Nathan C. Bolin, Harvey Britton, John C. Bybee, Ed- 
ward N. Coleman, John B. Creachy, Joseph Devore, Lawson Drais, George 
W. Duffee, Thomas Font, Thomas J. Gaskill, Monroe Goldsberry, George 
Gunkle, Josiah G. Hawk, Amos J. Herald. George W. Hughes, James H. 
Johnson, Abraham Aldrich, Frederick W. Brackenstoe, Joseph L. Boggs, 
Samuel Brindley, William Burns, Daniel B. Clark, John Collins, George W. 
Cummings, William Devore, William Draper, Archelaus Dyer, Richard D. 
Evans, Levi M. Friend, William J. Gatlin, Lorenzo J. Gordon, John G. 
Harley, Joseph Maymer, John M. Hill, Nelson B. Jenkins, John Allen, 
Frank J. Baldwin, Charles C. Blakemore, George W. Blair, Leroy Boggs, 
John Brown, Anthony Butts, William P. Cleveland, Isaac H. Cox, John 
Demon, John Dickey, Charles Duffee, Elisha Edwards, John Foley, Thomas 
F. Gardner, Michael Givens, William S. Gordon, Jacob A. Harper, Simeon 
Hanson, Joseph O. Jennings, Henry Judy, Mirion Judy, Abraham B. Lari- 
mer, Andrew J. Lewis, William Long, Andrew J. McGinnis, Thomas Mar- 
tindale, William Mickem, Willis Parrett, William O. Phares, James Priddy, 
Samuel Rice, Charles B. Bozelle, Richard Saxton, Able R. Seymour, An- 
thony Schreckengaust, Morgan L. Smith, Anthony T. B. Terry, Jonas L. 
Thornton, Robert Tweedale, Collins Vincent, William Welsh, Daniel F. 
Williams, Daniel Kenalty, George King, Walter S. Leake, Henry S. Limes, 
George H. McCandlass, Jonathan McLaughlin, Jacob D. Miller, Robert 



196 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Nidy, George Phares, Granville S. Phimley. Hiram Reed, John Rodgers, 
Seth Ross, Lycurgas P. Saxton, Curtis M. Shoemaker. London Silcott, Ben- 
jamin C. Stover. Lewis C. Thomas, George W. Thurston, George M. Ustick, 
William Vincent. Henton Wells, John R. Knotts, James King, Samuel G. 
Lee, John C. Lively, William McLellan, Thomas Manuel, William Millikan, 
Henry C. Painte, Spencer C. Phares. John L. Reese, Samuel Rodgers, John 
A. Sanders, Ransom Sears, Francis M. Silcott, Jacob Smith, John H. Straley, 
Justice Squire, Amos Thornton. Henry Tidy, Albert C. Vincent, John D. 
Wain. John W. West, Henry W. Worrell. 

Company B — William A. Davey, Daniel Taylor, Austin P. Williams. 

Company E — Alexander Alkire, William VanWey. 

Company G — Andrew Orahood. 

Company H — Milton Barrere, Samuel B. Lemons, John W. Keesberry, 
John B. Smith. James Chafin, Charles D. Vincent. 

Company M — 'Isaac Myers. 

THIRD UNITED STATES COLORED REGIMENT. 

Company C- — Levi Prince, private. 

FIFTH UNITED STATES COLORED REGIMENT. 

Company A— Richard Thornton, sergeant ; privates. Thomas Barnett, 
Tobias Hicks, Richard Redman. 

Company B — Peter Ball. San ford Lawrence, privates. 

Company C — Joseph Gales. 

Company D — Preston Gardner. Solomon M. Jackson, John Lyre, Ed- 
ward Richardson, privates. 

Company F — Alexander Burns, private. 

Company G — Thomas Grimes, commissary sergeant; privates, Edward 
Ball, Alonzo Day, James Holland, John L. Rickman, George Upthegrove, 
Enamel Brown, George Dudley, David Ouan, Nelson Spears, Isaac Miscal, 
Charles Chaves, James E. Dickerson, William Ouan, Charles H. Upthe- 
grove. Edward Weight. 

Company H — Jeremiah Hargrave, Samuel Morgan, privates. 

Companv I — Clarence Powell, musician. 

Company K — George Ikert, Robert Robinson, privates. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I97 

FIFTH UNITED STATES HEAVY ARTILLERY ( COLORED). 

James Hampton, private. 

NINTH UNITED STATES HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

John Powell, chaplain. 

Company B — William Ecton, Clayton Jones, privates. 

TWELFTH UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Company B — Robert Martin, private. 

SIXTEENTH UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS (iNFANTRy). 

Company C — John Taylor, private. 

Company F — Joseph Freeman, Isaac J. Peterson. 

SEVENTH UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Company I — Harrison Delaney, private. 

TWENTY-THIRD UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Company C — ^John Luckey, private. 
Compan}^ F — Nicholas Pettiford, private. 

TWENTY-FOURTH UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Company I — Charles Hall, private. 

TWENTY-SEVENTH UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Company B — John Boney, John Baker, James D. Gillis, Ziibiilon Kane, 
Hezekiah Stewart, privates. 

Company C — Lewis Jackson, John W. Thompson, privates. 
Company D — Thomas J. Brewer, private. 
Company E — John Elder, George Harris, privates. 
Company H — John Roberts, private. 



198 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Company I — Andrew Boon, William H. Brewer, George Mitchell, pri- 
vates. 

Company K — Samuel Evans, private. 

FORTY-FIFTH UNITED .STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Company D — Alexander Anderson, James C. Anderson, King D. An- 
derson, George Anderson, Albert Bagley, Thompson Jones, Julius C. Sam- 
mons, Solomon Brand, James H. Cain, Edward Kelley, George W. Stewart, 
Isaiah Wright, William Bass, Benjamin Gillis, Charles D. Merritt, James L. 
Thornton. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Company H — Robert Valentine, private. 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Compan}' B — Levi Burley, sergeant ; James Martin, pri\'ate. 

TWELFTH INDEPENDENT BATTERY, OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

Aaron C. Johnson, captain ; Joseph Billings, first lieutenant ; Anderson 
Blue, second lieutenant: George W. Crawford, quartermaster sergeant; 
Nathaniel C. Osborne, Jacob H. Moon, Silas J. Davis, corporals; John B. 
Wells, John R. Smithson, buglers ; privates, Charles Alwin, William Duff, 
John E. Jamison, William H. Latta, Albert G. Pierson, Samuel Richards, 
William S. Straley. W^illiam Underwood, John Crawford, Joseph Futgeson, 
Benjamin F. Jones, George Logan, William H. Rawlings, John H. Sherrett, 
\\'illiam W. Townsend, Robert B. Compton, Thomas Grimes, Charles 
Latham. John W. Lydy, George Richards, Jesse D. Sherrett, Cyrus Under- 
wood, James R. Woodall. 

SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

Company B — Harry V. Rodgers, Francis M. Gibson, first sergeant and 
sergeant, respecti\'ely ; William A. Wells, Emanuel .Purnell, Henry Venne- 
man, corporals ; privates, Joel Barrett, Charles C. Carey, George Crawford, 
Robert W. Lanum, Lewis Levick, Samuel C. Orr, Robert A. Robinson, Isaac 
N. Bonham, James Crawford, Jefferson Daugherty, Jesse Leveck, Nathan 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. I99 

Miller, James E. Pavey, Joseph Sidens, Merritt J. Sturgeon, Jarrah Boards, 
Henry Crawford, John Foley, George W. Levick, Benjamin F. Myers, Will- 
iam H. Powless, Jeremiah Smith. 

Company G — Isaac J. Vance, captain. 

Company H — John F. Dennis, private. 

Company I — Joseph W. Rothrock, second lieutenant; Thomas L. Ellis, 
private. 

Company K — Louis Baer, captain. 

Besides the above names, are several hundred more who served, one 
here and one there, and hence were inscribed on separate tablets, besides two 
whose names were overlooked and not inscribed on any of the tablets. These 
two are George Whitmer, Company G, and Robert Parkinson, of Company 
F of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment. 

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. 

In 1898 a crisis in Cuban affairs, due to Spain's wretched and inhuman 
treatment of her colonists there, brought on war with the United States, 
known as the Spanish-American War, which, though it lasted only one hun- 
dred and fourteen days, was very decisive in its results. During that brief 
conflict the United States land and sea forces destroyed two Spanish fleets, 
received the surrender of more than thirty-five thousand Spanish soldiers, 
took by conquest the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, and Manila, on the 
island of Luzon, in the Philippines, and so convinced the Spanish govern- 
ment that further prosecution of the war was unwise that terms of peace 
were asked for. President McKinley demanded the independence of Cuba, 
the cession of Porto Rico and Guam, one of the Ladrone islands, to the 
United States, and the retention of Manila by the United States pending the 
final disposition of the Philippines by a joint commission. By the terms of 
the final peace treaty, which was concluded in Paris, Spain relinquished her 
sovereignty over Cuba, ceded to us her other West India possessions and the 
island of Guam, and transferred her rights in the Philippines for the sum of 
twenty millions of dollars. 

The total number of United States troops engaged in this war was 
274,717 and the approximate cost of the war w^as $150,000,000. The 
Americans suffered no loss of ships and but two hundred and seventy-nine 
lives, while two thousand one hundred and ninety-nine Spaniards were killed, 
besides the almost total annihilation of her navy. 

Fayette county had a part in this war. Company E, of the Fourth Ohio 



200 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Regiment National Guard, and which was located at Washington C. H.. 
being called into the service. Company E was sent to Columbus to drill, 
and was finally mustered into the service of the United States, all but six- 
teen passing the military test upon their government examination. The 
original officers and men in this company were as follows : Captain, William 
Vincent ; first lieutenant, Charles O. Updyke ; second lieutenant, J. M. Fugate ; 
first sergeant, Charles Stugden ; sergeants, O. E. Hardway, Elmer Vincent, 
Charles Sexton, Norman McDonald; corporals, L. A. Jones, Robert Bon- 
ham, Bert Creamer, D. R. Duncan, John Gillum; musicians, Walter Paul, 
William Eyer ; armorer ; Charles Jarnigan ; privates, Allen Allebaugh, Will- 
iam C. Armstrong, Ed S. Bell, William L. Bird, William F. Becker. William 
A. Basley, William J. Carr, E. Conway, J. W. Cook, Mack Clayton, Johnson 
Cubbage, Mike Creamer. Scott Cook, N. W. Davis, Pete Dempsey, H. D. 
Fandall, Frank Ford, Charles E. Figgins, Willis S. Gray, Howard Harley, 
Ross Hart, A. J. Hardy, Birt Judy, Martin Judy. Wade Keaton, Gary Kim- 
lev, Frank Lee, Robert Marine, R. W. Marine, A. E. Marine, Arthur Mc- 
Kinley, Charles McCartney, Samuel Minshall. Harry McCormick, H. C. 
Marquett, J. H. Mitchner, John Nixon, Robert Pratt, Ellis, Lon Stevenson. 
Alex. Sharist, A. Shingles. Garland Slonaker. Frank Smith, Frank Sam- 
mons. E. E. Taylor, James Tincture, Jerome Taylor, Lawrence Updyke, John 
Vangurdy, Burton Vincent, Watson Walters, Sherman Wolf, B. F. Whited, 

A. W. Wilt, N. J. Cofifman, Elwert Coffman. John Robbs, Sherman Reeder. 

After being finally mustered into the United States service, this company 
was sent first to Chickamauga and later went to Porto Rico. On the con- 
clusion of hostilities the company was discharged and welcomed home, being 
given a grand reception by the citizens. 

HERO IN TWO WARS. 

The only Mexican War soldier residing in Fayette county in 191 3 was 

B. F. Jacob, aged ninety years, who lived with his son near Parrott's Sta- 
tion. In addition to having served in the Mexican War from 1846 to 1848, 
he was also a soldier in the Civil War for three years, and was lieutenant 
in the Forty-fourth Ohio Regiment of Infantry. Up to the age of eighty 
years, he had never had a doctor call on him for medical treatment. In 
1 91 3 he took part in the encampment of Ohio soldiers at Washington C. H. 
and appeared hale and hearty. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 



In no one particular has the advancement in higher attainments in 
civiHzation shown itself than in the matter of progress in the science of edu- 
cation — for now it is really considered a science.. Here in Fayette county, 
as in all other Ohio and Western sections, this change for the better is re- 
markable. While it is true that during the earlier years of her history this 
state produced many great men and women, who did not have the excellent 
advantages vouchsafed to the student of the common school and colleges of 
today, but who, perforce of their inherent will power and ambition to attain 
to great knowledge, were finally crowned with that ever-to-be-coveted ac- 
quirement, a good English education. It is believed by many educators today 
that the average man and woman, as well as the average school child, of this 
century does not begin to appreciate and utilize the mighty moving force 
which our public school system affords one who wills to be well and prac- 
tically educated. Like the atmosphere we freely breathe from day to day, 
we forget to lift our heads and hearts and offer thanks to Him that giveth 
such great blessings. 

In the matter of school houses, their sites, their grounds, their inner 
plans and equipments — all has been revolutionized within thirty years in this 
county. The standard of teachers, too, has been elevated until it is equal to 
any in the world. While there may yet be some question as to the equitable 
prices to be paid for schooling, and the remuneration given for competent 
teachers, in the main the public is usually pleased to give fair wages, both in 
the country and town districts, to those competent to properly instruct the 
young. In the matter of sex, the line is no longer closely drawn ; we now 
have far more women teachers than men, and well it is. Woman is ex- 
ceptionallv well suited for the tedious task of bending the young mind in the 
way it should go, both intellectually and morally. The profession always 
has been called honorable, and it is none the less so today than fifty and a 
hundred years ago. 

There is still room for better state school laws, and beyond doubt the 
new law providing for county school superintendents, a system long practiced 
in other and younger states, is a step in the right direction. 



2()2 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

THE OLD AND THE MODERN SCHOOL HOUSE. 

As one roams through one of the t\ventieth-century school buildings, 
and views their stone floors and marble faced hall-ways ; their efficient heat- 
ing and lighting plants ; the excellent manner in which ventilation is obtained ; 
the sanitary drinking fountains, conveniently arranged in every hall-way, and 
then reads descriptions of the early pioneer school houses, the wonderful 
contrast must be uppermost in the mind. For example, here are a few para- 
graphs concerning the old-time methods of obtaining a limited education in 
Ohio and Fayette county. We cjuote from Dill's history the subjoined : 

"Following along a blazed path through the woods, we come to the log 
school house. We pull the latch-string, enter, a voice from the far interior 
says 'Come in.' At the request of the 'master,' we settle down upon a 
puncheon bench, the object for all eyes to gaze upon. The first thing we 
observe is that nearly the whole end of the house is occupied by a fire-place, 
within whose capacious depths the crackling blaze sends forth light, heat 
and cheerfulness. Our gaze being attracted to the outside, we look — not 
through French plate glass, but a hole made by sawing out a log and replac- 
ing it with paper greased with lard. Our attention is recalled by a shrill 
voice: 'Master, mayn't I git a drink?' The urchin goes to the bucket, 
setting- on the bench near the door, takes the tin cup from the accustomed 
peg, dips it full, drinks a few sups, holding it over the bucket meanwhile, 
pours the balance back, looks around awhile, goes back to his seat and, with 
his dog-eared book close to his face, is soon lost in study. 

"We observe the benches are made of flat rails and puncheons, with 
wooden pins in them for legs ; backs they have none. The master has a table 
made by driving pins in the wall, and placing hewed puncheons on top of 
them. Under each window a similar contrivance accommodates the scholars. 

"While examining these unicpie writing desks, we are again startled by 
a cry, of apparent agony: 'Master, please mayn't I go out?' Consent is 
given, and the boy hurriedly moves toward the door, pausing to take down a 
stick crooked in shape and carries it out with him. Our curiosity is excited, 
and while the master's back is turned, we ask a big, white-headed boy near 
us what it is for, who. upon opening his mouth wide and staring at us in 
blank amazement, says : 'No other boy don't darst go out while that stick is 
gone.' 

"As incentives to close application to study, we observe a rule of about 



I'AYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 2O3 

a pound weight, and a formidable-looking beechen rod, whose acquaintance 
every boy in school has long ago formed. 

"Dilworth's Arithmetic, Webster's Spelling Book and the Testament 
were the usual text-books. It seemed to be an expressed settled fact, that 
during the recitation a boy could get up a better spirit of inspiration by 
stentorian competition with his fellows ; and in the spelling class, the boy 
that could spell the loudest should stand at the head. It was interesting to see 
these boys at the end of the bench standing on tip-toes, with every muscle in a 
quiver, waiting for the master to say 'Noon,' in order to get out first and raise 
the biggest yell." 

SCHOOLS OF WASHINGTON C. H. 

The first school in Washington C. H. was taught in 1813 by Samuel 
Loof borrow, in a double log house, one part of which he used for a dwell- 
ing, on the corner of Paint and Hind streets. The school, as was common 
in those days, was made up by subscription and could not have continued 
more than one or two terms, for in 181 4 the first building intended for school 
purposes in the village was built and James Webster installed as teacher. 
This was a rough, round-log structure, sixteen by eighteen feet, with a clap- 
board roof, fastened with weight poles, and was minus a floor. The door 
was also made of clapboards, arranged horizontally and secured by wooden 
pegs. One side of the frame extended above and below some niches, the 
lower end resting in a notch cut in the sill, or bottom log, and the upper end 
was fastened by pins, driven obliquely into the log above on each side and 
served as a hinge to the door. The sill mentioned above was more than two 
feet in diameter and it was with difficulty that the smaller children got over 
it into the school house. Of course the room was supplied with the cus- 
tomary greased-paper windows and was heated by the huge old-fashioned 
fireplace peculiar to those primitive days. 

The building was located on the northeast side of Market, between 
Fayette and North streets, on in-lot No. 47, now in possession of Col. H. B. 
Maynard and occupied a part of the present situation of the old frame Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. Webster was followed as teacher in this building 
by James Clark, an Irishman, who taught here until the house was abandoned 
in 181 6, when school was held in the old court house for several years. 

James G. Gray taught in the court house first and was succeeded by 
Hiram M. Parish and he in turn by Erasmus Grovesnor. About the close 
of the latter' s services a log school house was erected on the corner of Market 



204 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and Hind streets and was occupied first by a man named Pearson. The house 
was buih of round logs, which were scutched after the building was erected, 
and was located where the mill later stood on the southeast corner. 

Norman F. Jones was Pearson's successor here and continued until the 
house was abandoned. After this school was held in the old court house, 
and in unoccupied buildings in different parts of town until 1828, when a 
small, one-story brick house was erected on Alarket street, betw^een Main and 
Fayette streets, but on account of some legal technicality concerning the levy 
or appropriation made for the building of this house, it was thrown on the 
hands of the school trustees, but was afterward rented and occupied for 
school purposes principally until 1845, when a two-story frame school house 
was built on the site of the old log building, on the corner of Market and Hind 
streets. This house was used until the union school building on North 
street, between Temple and Paint, was completed in 1856, which originally 
was two stories high, sixty-five feet square, and contained eight rooms, four 
above and the same below, with a ten-foot hallway leading through both 
floors. The house and the site of three acres of ground cost about fourteen 
hundred dollars. In 1872 another story and a steam heating apparatus were 
added at a cost of eight thousand and three hundred dollars. The following 
is a list of some of the early teachers : Henry Phelps, James Latta, Smith 
Latta, John A. Pledge, William Westlake, Alvira Gordon, William H. Shim, 
Zeno Wilcox, Mr. Rawlings. Elam Hearts, A. K. Eaton, S. F. Kerr, L. D. 
Willard, A. S. Dickey. Dr. Donohue and Harvey Jones. 

TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS. 

In Jefferson township, none but the very aged will recall the old fashioned 
school houses, with huge fire-places and greased-paper windows and the hard- 
ness of the slab or puncheon seats, and the position used by the master in 
teaching penmanship with a self-made ciuill-pen, dipped in soft-maple ink. 
But these all obtained in Jefferson township "when my father was a boy." 

The first teacher here is remembered as David Creamer, who taught 
three months each year in a log cabin on the farm of Jacob Jenkins. The 
subscription school became very popular in a short time after the settlement 
of this county. On March 18, 1826, the township trustees divided this town- 
ship into seven school districts. After a number of years, the log buildings 
gave place to better structures of frame. Later the number of school dis- 
tricts was increased to thirteen, and then substantial brick school houses were 
constructed — a great innovation in educational facilities. The county super- 
intendent's last report will show what the condition of schools is there today. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 205 

In Jasper township the early children had very little of what even then 
was considered good school facilities, and not nntil 1816 was there a school 
house erected in the township. This was a ronnd-log structure, with 
puncheon floor and seats, and was lighted with greased paper stretched over 
openings in the log walls. It was built by the settlers in the dark, dense 
woods, on land belonging to Richard Ayers, in the Coil-Bush neighborhood. 
There Thomas Powell was first to instruct. He commenced in 1816, almost 
a hundred years ago. He received but a mere stipend, sufficient to keep the 
wolf from his door. This building was soon replaced by a better example 
of log school house and it was located a mile to the east, on the Richard 
Smith farm, then the property of Abraham Bush, John S. Burnett, later 
county auditor, taught the first school in the last mentioned building in 181 8. 
Another school house was erected on the Coons property, a mile south of 
Milledgeville, early in the settlement of Jasper township. This served until 
1837, when it was no longer sufiicient for the increasing demands. The good 
citizens of the township assembled and determined to improve in the matter 
of a school house. They could not agree on a common site, so built two 
houses, one being on the John Rankin farm. Here Joel Starbuck was first 
to teach ; he was from Clinton county. This was still in subscription school 
days, remember. The other building was located three miles south, on the 
old State road, now Washington and Jamestown pike. 

It is also related that in 1828 there had been a school house built on 
the old Persinger farm. It was of round poles, with desks running along 
each side, to be occupied by pupils only, while writing. Here John T. Powell 
taught the first term, receiving ten dollars per month, payable in produce. 
Two years after this it was burned and never rebuilt. 

In 1845 ^ school house was built on the land of Williamson Ferguson, 
in the center of the neighborhood, Ferguson donating the land. The house 
was erected by the settlers, and Miss Mary Jane Blystone, of Jefifersonville, 
was the first to teach there. This was a subscription school. The common 
or public school system, w^hile in force in Ohio as early as 1837, was not 
adopted here until much later. The people were slow to adopt it and still 
stuck to the subscription plan, which they believed to be cheaper, but in fact 
was not, all things being counted. 

In Concord township, as in all parts of the ne^y country, the children 
of school age were forced to remain at home and help clear the land of tim- 
ber and brushes, as well as till the garden patch, in place of enjoying the 
schools in which, otherwise, their parents would have been pleased to see 



206 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

them attend. But within a few years this all changed for the better, and 
parents then awoke to the fact that their own loved ones must secure at least 
a practical education — sufficient to enable them to read and write and "add 
sums" correctly. Therefore, the families making up the several neighbor- 
hoods commenced to start private and subscription schools. They erected 
log cabins and did all in their power to suitably fit up the structures that they 
might be warm in winter time, for that was the popular part of the year 
for schools — a season when the children could do nothing else! Several 
years since, wdien an attempt was being made to search out and record the 
school history of Fayette county, Levi Rowe made the assertion that "the 
first school house in this township stood on the banks of Sugar creek." The 
first teacher was William Sweet. He was followed by J. D. Moon. Five 
families, living east and west of the Randolph survey, erected a small cabin in 
the center of this survey, either in 1824 or 1825, and this served for school 
purposes. This was followed by numerous other buildings and as time went 
by frame, and finally brick, school houses might have been seen here and there 
throughout the township. Men and women of rare attainments were then 
secm'ed to teach and the educational facilities were speedily taken advantage 
of. 

In Green township, it was a matter of deep regret to the pioneers, most 
of W'hom had come in from some one of the older, better developed Eastern 
or Southern states, that they had to keep the children at home to work, in- 
stead of sending them to school, as they had been in the habit of doing. 
Money was scarce and taxes had to be paid and when that was accomplished 
there remained but little to pay "subscription" to a school teacher, hence 
many in this township grew to be young men and women without having 
the proper chance to attend school. Finally, some of the better educated 
ladies commenced teaching in their own cabin homes. They had a lot of 
scholars who walked as far as five miles, in order to attend these "home 
schools." Twenty-five pupils was a sufficient number to establish a "sub- 
scription school" with and as soon as times admitted the settlers did this. 
Where parents were too poor, be it said to their credit, those of better financial 
standing paid the sum in addition to their own shares in such schools. One 
dollar and a half was the amount usually paid for the term. 

The first school house here was a very rough affair erected of poles, had 
a puncheon floor, a mud chimney, seats of poles split in two with the flat and 
sometimes "slivery" side up. Where the chinking was out the most, there 
the greased paper was applied for windows, as that allowed light, at the same 
time keeping out the rain and wind. This fearfully and wonderfully-made 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 207 

iDuilding was erected on the Little Wabash in 1819, where in later years the 
heirs of 'Squire Clay resided. This subscription district was six miles square, 
and in the winter of 1819 was in charge of Ebenezer Christy, a good teacher 
— when sober! Another early teacher was a Mr. Bradshaw. Today the 
township boasts of good buildings and modern furniture and fixtures in 
keeping with advanced ideas. 

In Perry township existed the same trouble as in most other sections of 
Fayette county. The lack of money, need of the children's help at home, and 
a sparseness of settlement — all worked hardship for those who would other- 
wise have had their families in school, at least part of the year. But as it 
was, fate seemed to order otherwise for a quite a number of years. Finally, 
times were better and the clearing up of land had put the parents in a position 
to handle the work at home better themselves, and then school houses were 
soon found in the township. 

The Ayers schoolhouse, built in 18 10, was probably the first within 
Perry township. It was built on lands owned by Mr. Ayers, in the Center 
survey. Charles Cox was the first teacher in this pioneer building. Five 
or six years later there were two more added, one near the present Wabash 
school house, on Robert Scott's land, where Rev. W. A. King lived later. 
This was doubtless erected for both school and church uses, as many of the 
earlier buildings were erected with both objects in view. The other building 
was erected on land owned by Judge James Crothers. Mrs. Crothers had a 
school in her own house prior to the erection of this building. 

In 1822 a round-log school house was built on the Isaac Henderson 
land near the Cochran Methodist Episcopal church. Hugh Painter taught 
the first term here and Jackson King the second, and these two ended the 
schools for that house. 

Early in 181 5 the Tom Ellis school was built. It was just at the close 
of the War of 1812-14. It stood at the very edge of Martinsburg, and Isaac 
Woods was among, if not the first, to teach there. John Moon was one of 
the later teachers and he forbade the burning of sassafras wood at the school 
from a superstitious belief quite common then, that it would be followed by 
evil results. These fears, it is known, did not extend to the use of whisky, 
or prevent him from resorting to his bottle for "inspiration." Old men tell 
lis that they, while attending this school, frequently saw the master sneaking 
away to a place where he hid his bottle and come back with a smile stealing 
over his face. In 1828 this building was removed to the Todhunter land. 
It was known as the "Quaker school house" and there, as teachers, presided 
Messrs. Barnett, Joseph McLure, Samuel Banks and Jacob Todhunter. 



2o8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

In October, 1845, the township was divided into seven sub-districts, and 
later still two more districts were created, one being used exclusively for the 
colored children. Long before 1877 brick school houses were the general 
rule in this township, and today every modern facility is employed to make 
good the education of the rising young. 

In Marion township the first school was taught by James Webster, father 
of Bryce Webster, in the winter of 1812, in a cabin built for dwelling pur- 
poses, on the southwest side of the Springfield and Chillicothe road. Near 
this, on the opposite side of the highway, a small log school house was erected 
in the summer of 181 3, and in this Mr. Webster taught the winter term of 
school. It was then abandoned and in 1814 another was erected on land of 
Adam Turner, and there Webster taught five years. 

In Madison township the first school was taught in the year 1809, a 
winter school, by Samuel Myers, in a log cabin near the site of the present 
village of Waterloo. He walked two and a half miles to and from this shack 
of a building. Probably the next school was that taught on William Mor- 
gan's land, in the Armstrong survey. In the wnnter of 1824 Thomas John- 
son taught a term of school there as well as the winter following. The 
building was abandoned for such purposes about 1829, when a small house, 
eighty rods west of Yankeetown, was employed, and James Martin taught 
therein. Joseph Counts came as the next teacher (but few women were 
hired in those days). A Mr. McGary taught here three or four terms, and 
was followed by Julius Bicknell. 

On the Urbana road, a mile and a half from Waterloo, land owned then 
by Jesse Barton was used for school purposes and a building was provided at 
Yankeetown about the same time. In about 1829-30 a building was erected 
in the W. Sanford survey, No. 13 135. Clement Twifford, who had taught 
in the neighborhood before, was the instructor there. This building was 
burned, together with all the pupils' books. The school was then divided, one 
portion attending a term or two of school in an old unoccupied dwelling, 
then in a cabin of Richard Ciurson. In 1838 a building was erected at White 
Oak and occupied ten years, when a new building took its place. This was 
abandoned in 1877, when an elegant frame structure was built and the district 
was made independent. 

Of schools in Paint township let it be stated that the pioneer here, in 
attempting to furnish his children with even an ordinary education, realized 
that he had a task before him. The common school system, as now under- 
stood, was not known at that date anywhere on American soil. Good teach- 
ers and buildings suitable were almost out of the cjuestion. Not until Fayette 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 2O9 

county had been organized a number of years were there any regular schools. 
Samuel Robins has been claimed as the earliest to teach in Paint township. 

On the Midway and Bloomingburg pike, a small log cabin went up about 
181 5 — a century ago — and there the first school was taught by one Greenley. 
About 1820 Thomas Fullerton, father of George S., taught in an old building 
on the Sulzer farm. 

In 1817 the neighbors round about hewed the logs necessary to build a 
neat cabin on the corner of Abraham Kirkby's land, and it is said a school 
was immediately started there. A Mr. Twilliger first taught the "young 
idea" there to shoot. Robert Burnett also taught and boarded around among 
his patrons. 

In 1853 the township was divided into eight districts and the board of 
education was composed of Samuel Myers, James Larrimore, Perry Salmon, , 
John Tway, A. F. Parrott, John Flood, John Carle and Hamilton Green. 
On May 14th, that year, the board met and decided to build a house for each 
district in the township, and to levy a tax of not less than three thousand 
eight hundred dollars and not more than four thousand dollars to carry out 
that project. This was a wonderful stride! Later it was decided that each 
district should have five hundred dollars to get a site and build a school 
house with. 

On April 16, 1855 (mark the early date in talking of recent reforms), 
fifty-five young ladies, praying for the exclusion of tobacco from the school 
rooms of the township, were gratified by having such an order made and 
the same to go into immediate effect. Long skirts and tobacco spit were no 
friends even at that day! 

The census shows that in Paint township in 1855 there were 439 white 
youth — 225 male and 214 female — between the ages of five and twenty-one; 
colored youth, 9 males, i female; grand total, 449. 

WAYNE CENTRALIZED SCHOOL, 

At Good Hope there was erected, in 1913, a large two-story, red pressed- 
brick school building, known as the Wayne township centralized school. Its 
cost was about twenty thousand dollars. It is a modern structure, built by a 
public spirited township, the citizens of which have faith in the final success 
of this system of public schools, instead of having them scattered about over 
the township. Better results can be obtained. It is quite a step in advance 
of most counties, but ere long Ohio will be dotted with centralized schools. 
(14) 



2IO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

The pupils are easil)^ transported by hack to and from their homes. They 
are safer, and have better, brighter minds to do school room duty, than the 
students who travel in mud and dust, storm and sunshine, from half to two 
miles and more to attend school. The rivalry and general interest there 
manifest shows that ultimate good will come from this system. Its good 
effect is already seen here. The voters who at first opposed the system 
would not now vote against the measure, since they see the benefit to be de- 
rived therefrom. The actual cost is not much, if indeed any, more than 
under the old system. When the advantages to be gained are all counted in 
— a speedy and correct education, all the way up to eighth grade, in a school 
in all particulars equal to those found in the cities, the cost then is no more 
than the old plan and far better in many particulars. 

It is believed that before many years the children will be hurried to and 
from school by means of automobiles, but at present are carried in hacks 
provided w^ith comfortable seats, cool in summer and warm in winter; the 
little folks enjoy going to school in a fashion not hitherto known. 

At Jeffersonville there is a school building costing four thousand dollars. 

The class of buildings in the village and cities of Fayette compare favor- 
ably with other counties. The following items regarding the Fayette county 
public schools have been gleaned from the state records of 1913: Grand total 
enrollment in county was 4,781 ; number of school houses in the county in 
1913 was 102; value of school buildings, $378,800; number of school districts 
in county, 76; number teachers employed in county, 163; the wages for men 
were fifty-three dollars per month in elementary schools ; in separate district 
elementary schools, sixty dollars per month for men ; for women, fifty-three 
dollars; in high schools men received eighty-six dollars and women received 
seventy-five dollars per month. 

The number of volumes in library in the various schools of the county 
was one thousand four hundred and seventy-five. 

Of the high schools of Fayette county in 1913, it may be said that at 
Bloomingburg there were fifteen boys and seventeen girls ; two boys gradu- 
ated and six girls ; average age of boys, seventeen years, and of girls, fifteen 
years ; total number graduates in whole history of school, one hundred and 
eighteen. 

At Jefifersonville there were thirty-two boys and fifty-four girls; boys 
graduated, one, girls, eight ; average age of boys, fourteen years, and of girls, 
fifteen years ; total number graduated in the whole history of the school, 
one hundred and thirty-six. 

In Washington C. H., William McClain received $2,500 as superin- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 211 

tendent of the high schools; the high school principal received $i,ioo; cost 
of new school house erected, $100,000; number school houses in city, seven; 
number seats or sittings in city for elementary scholars, 1,400; for high 
school pupils, 300; value of school property, $180,000; number teachers in 
elementary, 35 ; in high school, 8. The average wages paid for men in ele- 
mentary, $60 ; in high school, $97 ; for women in elementary, $50, in high 
school, $74 per month. The number of weeks taught in one session was 
thirty-six. 

THE THOUGHTFUL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. 

[Publisher's Note — Despite the modesty of Mr. Allen, the supervising 
editor of this history, the following reference to him is considered entirely 
pertinent to this work.] 

The first county school superintendent of Fayette county, Prof. Frank 
M. Allen, has started out in the right direction to make a very efficient and 
practical superintendent. He has original ideas and believes in interesting 
and instructing the young by means otherwise than from regular text-books. 
He has recently presented every school house in the county with a fine, large 
picture of Abraham Lincoln, his only requirement being that the teacher 
have the pupils donate a cent or two each towards providing these portraits 
with suitable frames, and suggests to teachers that a small flag of our country 
be fastened on the wall over the portrait. These portraits are received with 
great pleasure by the school patrons, for who does not revere the name of 
"Honest Abe?" 

Superintendent Allen has also commenced distributing to the various 
schools in the county two significant cards, which are to be read in school 
and hung upon the walls. One of these cards carries on its face "The Prayer 
of a Horse." while the other is the late U. S. Senator Vest's eulogy on the 
dog, entitled "A Tribute to Man's Best Friend." 

The prayer of a horse was written by a blacksmith and veterinary, and 
reads thus : 

"To Thee, My Master. I Offer My Prayer : 

"Feed me, water me and care for me, and when the day's work is done 
provide me with shelter, a clean, dry bed and a stall wide enough for me to 
lie down in comfort. Talk to me ; your voice often means as much to me 
as the reins. Bid me a kind good night. Pet me sometimes, that I may 
serve you the more gladly and learn to love you. 

"Do not jerk the reins and do not whip me when going up hill. Never 
strike, beat or kick me when I do not understand what you mean, but give 



212 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

me a chance to understand you. Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding 
see if something" is not wrong with my harness ; it may be I need a new collar, 
or my mouth may be sore from a cold or old rusty bit. 

"Examine my teeth when I do not eat. I may have an ulcerated tooth, 
and that you know is very painful. Do not tie my head in an unnatural 
position or take away my last defense against flies and mosquitoes by cutting 
ofif my tail. Do not tie me out on the streets cold days and cold nights with- 
out a blanket. You know, master, it was never intended that we should be 
treated thus. 

"And finally, O my master, when my useful strength is gone, do not 
turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner to be slowly 
tortured and star\'ed to death; but do thou, my master, take my life in the 
kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter! 

"You may not consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him 
who was born in a stable! Amen.'' 



CHAPTER XV. 



SECRET AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. 



In almost every part of the civilized globe there are today secret orders 
and benevolent fraternities doing a work for humanity impossible to accom- 
plish in any other manner. The old-time prejudice against secret orders has 
long since passed. While some church creeds still hold that it is not proper, 
and not in keeping with Biblical teachings, the number is indeed small. To 
be an honored member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows or Pythian orders is 
but to be engaged in the daily duty of helping one's fellow-man, even as did 
the Master when he walked among the children of men twenty centuries 
ago. The principles upon which these great fraternities are founded are 
derived fr'om the Bible itself. There are unworthy members as well in lodges 
as in churches, but that is no argument against either institution. 

It will be the aim of this brief chapter to mention something concerning 
the organization and present standing of the three great and world-wide 
fraternities. Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. 

Fayette Lodge No. 107, Free and Accepted Masons, at Washington 
C. H., the pioneer secret body in Fayette county, was instituted and com- 
menced work on December 7, 1839, pursuant to a dispensation granted by 
the deputy grand master of the grand lodge of Ohio, under date of Novem- 
ber 29, 1839. The lodge was dedicated December 26, 1840. The charter 
members of this lodge were Joel S. Bereman, Samuel F. Yeoman, Samuel 
Milhkan, Joseph Bell, Jacob Ott, Valentine Coil and Daniel McLain. J. S. 
Bereman was the first worshipful master; Jacob Ott, senior warden; S. F. 
Yeoman, junior warden; James Sharp, senior deacon; Daniel McLain, junior 
deacon; Joseph Bell, treasurer; Samuel Millikan, secretary; Valentine Coil, 
tyler. 

The membership in October, 19 14, was two hundred and thirty-one. Of 
this number there were fifty-one resident Masons. The present elective 
officers are : Worshipful master, Ernest E. Ellis ; senior warden, Harry M. 
Rankin; junior warden, Ray D. Post; treasurer, William H. Dial; secretary, 
John L. McFadden; senior deacon, Amos Thornton; junior deacon, Omer 
F. Sturgeon; chaplain, E. B. Arbogast; organist, James Whelpley; master 
of ceremonies, Anda E. Henkle ; tyler, Edwin D. Pine. 



214 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

This fraternitv suffered great loss in way of its hall and records in the 
great conflagration which swept so many valuable buildings away in Decem- 
ber, 191 1. It rebuilt and that structure is the present imposing Masonic hall, 
said to be fire-proof. 

F'avette Chapter No. 103, Royal Arch Masons, was organized at Wash- 
ington C. H. on Jnly i. 1867. The dispensation was signed by the following 
companions : John Turk, S. N. Yeoman, J- W. Cleveland, Mills Gardner, 

E. L. Ford, Lewis Cook. Addison Bybee, Benjamin F. Alouser and James 

F. Eh-. The officers under the dispensation were as follows : John M. Turk, 
high priest; S. N. Yeoman, king; J. W. Cleveland, scribe: J. F. Ely, captain 
of host; Mills Gardner, principal sojourner; Lewis Cook, royal arch captain; 
E. L. Ford, master of third veil; Addison Bybee, master of second veil; Ben- 
jamin Mouser, master of first veil. 

Garfield Commandery No. 28, Knights Templar, at Washington C. H., 
was granted a dispensation August 30, 1876, the following being the charter 
members ; Mills Gardner, J. P. Ely, Benjamin F. Coffman, C. O. Stevens, 
A. C. Johnson, J. F. Hopkins, C. Garis, E. L. Ford, A. P. Kirk, E. B. 
Updegrove, A. M. Stimson and John R. McLain. The first knight created 
was Daniel McLain. C. Garis, J. F. Ely, A. M. Stimson, Mills Gardner, J. 
W. Woods, A. C. Johnson, A. B. Adams, J. R. McLain, B. F. Cofifman 
were men appointed to the first offices. A charter was granted by the grand 
commandery on xA.ugust 27, 1877. 

This society is now in a flourishing condition. Its original name was 
"Eli," but was changed to Garfield in honor of the lamented President, 
James A. Garfield. The present eminent commander is Elmer A. Klever. 

In the summer of 19 14 the Masonic bodies in Fayette county were as 
follows : 

Fayette Lodge No. 107 had a membership of two hundred and thirty- 
one ; Bloomingburg Lodge, ninety-six ; Jeffersonville Lodge, ninety-six ; resi- 
dent Masons, fifty-one ; total Master Masons, four hundred and seventy- 
seven ; Favette Chapter, two hundred and fifty-seven ; Fayette Council, sixty- 
four ; Garfield Commandery, two hundred and seven ; Royal Chapter, Order 
Eastern Star, one hundred and ninety-seven ; Forest Chapter, Order Eastern 
Star, sixty-two ; Jefferson Chapter, Order Eastern Star, ninety-five. 

Bloomingburg Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized, under 
dispensation, September 30, 1870. Their first stated meeting was held 
October 7, 1870, there being but ten members at that date. The lodge was 
constituted December 23d of that year, under charter granted by the grand 
lodge of Ohio. Its charter members were John Brown, J. M. McCoy, Will- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 21$ 

iam Noble, V. M. Durflinger, Edwin Alexander, treasurer, A. B. Elliott, 
William M. Jones, John Ott, D. M. Haysand, C. D. Hays. 

The lodge prospered and enlarged the small hall they had provided at 
first, on the corner of Main and Cross streets. At the close of 1873 the 
membership was thirty-three, which by 1881 had increased to fifty-eight, not 
including deaths and removals. The society was incorporated in March, 
1 88 1, by William Clark, J. M. Noble, Henry Fulton, Henry Casey and J. M. 
McCoy, trustees. 

In October, 19 14. this lodge enjoyed a membership of ninety-seven and 
was in a flourishing condition. It had the misfortune to have its lodge rooms 
burned and all their furniture destroyed in April, 19 12. But, like true 
brothers, they went to work and by November of that year were holding 
lodge in their new and magnificent hall, which was the second story of a fine 
yellow pressed-brick, two -story building, all owned by the order. It stands 
on the site of the old lodge rooms and cost, together with furniture and 
value of lot, about eight thousand five hundred dollars. There are few, if 
indeed any, lodge rooms in Ohio in towns of much larger size that possess 
so fine, well-arranged hall. They have a large banquet hall, kitchen, lobbies 
and reception rooms in addition to a good-sized hall. The Order of the 
Eastern Star is exceptionally strong here. 

The elective officers serving in 1914 are: Worshipful master, Forest M. 
Hains; senior warden, John N. Browning; junior warden, Allen P. West; 
secretary, G. W. Gordon ; treasurer, Henry Casey ; senior deacon, Claude 
Andrews; junior deacon. John Foster; chaplain, Robert G. Andrews; tyler, 
James W. Willis; master of ceremonies, J. Y. Stitt; stewards, Howard Fos- 
ter and C. S. Edwards. The trustees are J. M. Klever, Nathaniel Roler, W. 
T. Elliott, J. P. Leavell. 

The following have served as masters in this lodge: John Brown, 1870; 
J. M. McCoy, 1871-77; A. B. Elliott, 1878; J. M. McCoy, 1879-82; William 
Clark, 1883-87; Samuel N. Brown, 1888; William Noble, 1889; J. M. 
Klever, 1890; Charles D. Hays, 1891 ; Solon Loofborrow, 1892-93; Sam- 
uel N. Brown, 1901 ; G. W. Gordon, 1902-03; J. M. Klever, 1904; F. M. 
McCoy, 1905-06; J. P. Leavell, 1907; J. Y. Stitt, 1908-09; F. E. Whiteside, 
1910; V. M. Durflinger, 191 1; Claude Andrews, 1912; L. D. Exline, 1913. 

Jeffersonville Lodge No. 468, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized 
January 31, 1873, ^7 Col. C. Garris, of Washington C. H. The charter 
members were Mills Gardner, P. F. Johnson, James Straley, L. A. Elister, 
E. H. Bendle, Horney Robinson, J. C. Morris, William Wood, W. ]. Horney, 
George Miller, Asberry Moon. J. W. Roebuck, W. F. Roebuck, G. L. Bush 



2l6 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and Urban Hidv. Of the present history of this lodge it may be stated that 
the records show that the present officers are: A. A. Allen, worshipful 
master; W. O. King, senior warden; L. A. Kessler, junior warden; M. E. 
Wilson, secretary; F. A. Chaney, senior deacon; S. C. Morrow, junior dea- 
con; C. R. Marshall, chaplain; G. H. Brock, master of ceremonies; J. C. 
Todd, tyler. The membership of this lodge is ninety-eight. The blue lodge 
is the only degree of Freemasonry here represented. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. 

Jefferson Lodge No. 454, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was or- 
ganized July 20, 1870, with the following charter membership: J. M. Bless- 
ing, Joseph Hurless, R. Fox, A. J. Aldridge, O. W. Marshall, E. L. Jones, 
George H. Creamer and Lewis Bentz. 

In June, US79, a part of the membership, in the absence of other mem- 
bers, voted to surrender the charter of this lodge, sold the furniture and ap- 
propriated the proceeds to the Methodist Episcopal church of Jeffersonville. 
The other members returned and brought suit, but as the result a new lodge 
was organized, with officers as follows: Joseph Hurless, noble grand; W. C. 
Wilson, vice grand; George Miller, recording secretary; J. N. Yates, financial 
secretary; Richard Fox, treasurer; Jacob R. Hosier, Joseph Hurless, J. J. 
Thompson, trustees. At present this lodge is enjoying a membership of 
eighty-five. They occupy a leased hall. The officers in the autumn of 1914 
were: William Higbee. noble grand; William Spangler. vice grand; L. Hay, 
financial secretary; A. W. Wright, recording secretary; S. M. Taggart, 
chaplain. 

Initiatory, second and third degrees are here all represented. 

An Odd Fellows lodge was instituted at Martinsburg by Grand Master 
William Slater, January i, 1862. The charter members were these: Morris 
R. Ellis, Murry Wilson, J. A. Arick, C. Fortier, A. L. Snider, George Bine- 
gar and C. A. Kneedler. A beautiful hall was furnished and in 1880 this 
lodge had a membership of two hundred. The lodge is known in record as 
AVilstach Lodge No. 368. 

Temple Lodge No. 227, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Wash- 
ington C. H. was instituted in the hall in the attic story of the old brick 
building on Court street, northeast of Fayette, over the printing office, March 
13, 1854, and the charter was given to the following: Capt. John M. Bell, 
Col. S. N. Yeoman, M. Livingston, William H. Lanum and John Backenstoe. 
Four persons, John Millikan. C. H. Bell, V. M. Ogle and Doctor Brown, 



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FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 21 7 

were initiated into the order on the niglit of the institution. The lodge con- 
tinued to meet in the old attic room for about two years, when they removed 
to the third story of J. F. Ely's frame building on the corner of Main and 
East street, where also they remained two years. They then secured the 
third story of a new brick building on Court street, built by Z. W. Heagler. 
This was unfinished, but the lodge finished and furnished it and made their 
home in this place for al^out sixteen years. In the spring of 1873 they 
organized the Odd Fellows Building Association, which bought a piece of 
ground on Court street, southwest from the Vandeman corner, and pro- 
ceeded to build thereon a fine business building. In the spring of 1874 the 
lodge removed to their new hall, which was one of the best in the state. In 
the following October, on the night of the 13th, this handsome building was 
completely destroyed by fire. A meeting of the lodge was called and iield 
in the Masonic hall on the night after the fire and it was resolved to rebuild 
the hall. In the winter and spring of 1875 a new building arose in the place 
of the old. The lodge moved in on November 6, 1875. During the building 
of the new structure the lodge met in the third story of the First National 
Bank building. " The home of the order for ten years was in the building 
last named, having been built by the lodge after the fire had destroyed their 
former rooms. But while in the midst of lodge-room work, on that fateful 
evening of September 8, 1885, when Washington C. H. was visited by the 
tornado or cyclone storm, the lodge room and the building in which it was 
located were totally wrecked and most of the property within destroyed, 
save the records. After this the court house and Grand Army rooms were 
used for lodge meeting places, then the Williams building on Court street. 
After sixteen years there, the Katz building sheltered the lodge. Six years 
later and it was moved to the county memorial building. The present mag- 
nificent hall, on the corner of Fayette and Market streets, was erected in 19 10 
and its corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on November 29, 
1910. The cost of lot and building was fully twenty-two thousand dollars. 

In the beginning the lodge was very weak in numbers, but has steadily 
grown ever since. The first elective officers were : John M. Bell, noble 
grand; S. N. Yeoman, vice grand; M. Livingston, recording secretary; Will- 
iam H. Lanum, permanent secretary; John Backenstoe, treasurer. 

The present membership of the lodge is four hundred and thirty. Its 
elective officers are : John Madison, noble grand ; William Highmiller, vice- 
grand; Dr. C. V. Lanum, financial secretary; E. C. Hamilton, recordino- 
secretary; J. A. Edge, treasurer; C. F. Bonham, Wilson Bachert and S. A. 
Plyley, trustees. 



2l8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Fayette Encampment No. 134, at Washington C. H., was instituted on 
May 17, 1 87 1, in the Odd Fellows hall on Court street. The charter was. 
delivered to L. C. Karney, S. N. Yeoman, C. L. Getz, O. H. Saxton, M. 
Blanchard. W. S. Stewart, J. C. King. William Wilts and Charles Duffee. 
There were eleven persons admitted on the night of institution. Its first 
elective officers were: L. C. Karney, chief patriarch: M. Blanchard, high 
priest: William Wilts, senior warden; Dr. O. H. Saxton, junior warden; 
William Stewart, scribe ; J. C. King, treasurer. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS LODGES. 

This is one of the most recent fraternities in the list of secret orders. It 
was established about the close of the Civil War and Lodge No. i, at Wash- 
ington, District of Columbia, was the first of the order in the world. 

The earliest body in Fayette county was Confidence Lodge No. 265, at 
Washington C. H., instituted December 7, 1887, with twenty-one members. 
The burning of the hall in 19 12 caused the destruction of all records, besides 
a fine array of relics, books, charts and lodge room fixtures. The lodge held 
its first meetings in Midland block, then in Odd Fellows hall in the Williams 
block. Since 1900 they had occupied rooms in Masonic Temple, on the third 
floor of the building, but that fire of 191 1 caused them a great loss. In 
February, 191 2, they moved into their new castle, in the heart of the city, 
which property they had purchased and rebuilt, making their present hall a 
desirable one, valued at fifteen thousand dollars. In 19 12 there were fully 
a thousand members in Fayette county belonging to this fraternity. Of this 
the pioneer lodge in the county of Knights of Pythias, it may be stated that in 
September, 1909, they had a membership of four hundred. Its elective 
officers were : Ray Maddox, chancellor commander ; John Markley, vice 
chancellor; Richard Hays, prelate; W. J. Bevans, master of work; Fred 
Schmid, master of exchequer; L. J. Sherman, master of finance; H. M. 
Kingsbury, keeper of records and seal; R. A. Hyer, master at arms; Richard 
Elliott, inside guard; H. A. Highmiller, outer guard. 

There are now lodges of this order in Fayette county as follows : At 
Washington C. H., Madison Mills, Jeffersonville, Bloomingburg, Buena 
Vista and Yates\ ille. 

At Jeffersonville, Sunflower Lodge, Knights of Pythias, was instituted 
February 19, 1892, and given the charter number of 541. Its charter mem- 
bers were J. H. Wilt, W. L. Boyer, Frank Carr, C. A. Teeters, Ira McKillip, 
H. L. Bendel, I. G. Bover, T. Williams, J. H. Garlough, H. L. Clausing, C. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 21-9 

W. Davis, H. C. Hosier, D. C. Serbine, T. L. Hayes, J. H. Davis, L. O. 
Fnlts, L. E. Ellis. Charles Compton, Pope Gregg, C. W. Gray, H. W. Duff, 
Jasper Roush and C. S. Spengler. The present total membership is one 
hundred and thirty. They own a well-appointed lodge room, erected in 
1906, and the order is now in a flourishing condition. Its officers in October, 
1914, are: W. L. Robinson, past chancellor; J. B. Armstrong, chancellor 
commander; W. W. Rontson, vice chancellor; W. C. Coil, prelate; A. L. 
French, keeper of records and seal; J. H. Garlough, master of finance; J. W. 
Howard, masier of exchequer; B. D. Smith, master at arms; Howard 
Haynes, outside guard ; S. C. Morrow, inside guard. 

At Bloomingburg, Lodge No. 744 was organized December 29, 1905, 
with forty-one charter members. Its present membership is one hundred 
and sixteen. It erected a handsome, substantial pressed-brick building in 
1912, at a cost, including lot, of about seven thousand five hundred dollars. 
The Uniform Rank is also here well represented. The elective officers of 
the lodge here for 1914 are as follows: Chancellor commander, C. W. 
Larimer; vice chancellor, Grant Leach; prelate, Elmer McCoy; master at 
arms, Henry Elliott ; master of exchequer, Nathaniel Ross ; master of finance, 
L. D Exline; keeper of records and seal, Claude Andrews; inside guard, 
Robert Pummel ; outside guard, Harrison Leach. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES. 



Wherever the church spire is seen, in both town and country, there one 
feels that he is safe. The American-born population predominates very 
largely in Fayette county, and hence there are none but American denomina- 
tions, to speak of. Among that rugged band of hardy pioneers who braved 
the dangers of a wild frontier life, away back a hundred years and more ago, 
there was a spirit of religion sprinkled in the communities from the first or- 
ganization of the county, and as the years advanced steps were promptly 
taken to form churches, though possibly not as rapidly as in some other 
sections. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 

The Presbyterian church of Washington C. H. was organized October 
lo, 1813, three years after the county was organized. There were thirteen 
members and James Clark, William Blair, Samuel W^addle, Anuences Allen 
and Col. James Stewart were chosen elders. 

The Rev. Mr. Baldridge had charge of the church for a time. After 
him the pulpit was supplied by several different ministers, till Rev. William 
Dickey came to be pastor in 181 7. The church had no house of worship and 
meetings could not be held very regularly. 

In 181 7 part of the church was set off to form a separate congregation 
at Bloomingburg, and Thomas McGarraugh and Henry Snyder were chosen 
elders. Mr. Dickey supplied the church at W^ashington C. H. and also the one 
at Bloomingburg, which was now the larger. Shortly after he seems to have 
given all his attention to Bloomingburg and there are no records of the Pres- 
byterian church of W^ashington C. H. for fifteen years. 

In 1834 the church took a new start. Nine of the old members were 
still on the ground, and seventeen were received. James Pollock, John WH- 
son, Isaac Templeton and Joseph McLean were chosen elders and S. F. Kerr 
was made clerk of the session. 

About 1835 Rev. John C. Eastman took charge of the church and the 
society seemed to progress nicely. They undertook, for the first time, to 
erect a house of worship, and soon it was constructed and dedicated. 



FAYli'ITK COIN'IV, (J 11 It) 221 

In 1840 Air. Eastman left the church, after six years of faithful and 
successful labor. The next eight years passed with very irregular ministra- 
tions. Rev. James Dunlap and Rev. J. A. I. Lowes preached for a time. 

In the winter of 1847-1848 the church was incorporated. About this 
time J. G. Hopkins came, as a licentiate, to supply its pulpit. James N. Wil- 
son and Eliphas Taylor were chosen and ordained elders. Mr. Hopkins, 
some time after, was chosen pastor and ordained. A division in the church 
grew out of this. Robert Robinson and Joseph McLean, two of the elders, 
and others left the church, among them Col. S. F. Kerr. This was a great 
loss to the feeble church. Mr. Hopkins soon left, and in the spring of 185 1 
Rev. S. J. Miller was called to the pastorate, after which church affairs ran 
along more smoothly. A new church edifice was built about 1856. Rev. 
Miller continued pastor for fifteen years, leaving the church in 1866 with 
seventy-five members. 

In January, 1867, the Rev. George Carpenter was called to the pastorate. 
He was succeeded, in order, as follows: 1884 to 1892, Rev. Samuel B. Al- 
derson; 1892 to 1905, Rev. James L. McNair; 1905 to 1910, Rev. David H. 
Jones; 1910 to 1913, Rev. William I. Campbell; 1913 to present time. Rev. 
William Boynton Gage. 

The membership is now about seven hundred and seventy-five. The 
present church was erected several years ago and is a modern edifice. The 
society also has a commodious, modern manse on the lot with the church. 

THE CHURCH AT BLOOMINGBURG. 

The Bloomingburg Presbyterian church is now ninety-seven years old, 
having been organized on November 22, 18 17, with twenty-six constituent 
members. Fortunately for the author and reader, there still remains a good 
record of this old church, as it was carefully compiled during Centennial 
year by Rev. Edward Cooper, D. D., the third pastor, and from this the 
writer draws largely for the facts herein contained. At first there were four 
ruling elders. The first public service was held in a small barn and for some 
time this building and pioneer residences, which were but rude cabins, were 
the only places in which to worship. One of the earliest traveling preachers 
here was Rev. Dyer Burgess, who, in a letter in 1867 written to Rev. Cooper, 
said: "I distinctly remember my visits to Bloomingburg and the pleasant 
meetings we had, largely attended, in Colonel Stewart's barn. In January, 
1 81 7, they had invited Rev. William Dickey to preach for them, when I was 
in the habit of making missionary tours to that settlement; and afterwards I 



222 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

visited Bloomingbur"- frequently, enjoying the Christian fellowship of 
Brother Dickey and the members of his congregation." 

The first session of this church consisted of "Father Dickey," as all knew 
him, as moderator. Col. James Stewart. Judge James Menary, Robert Robin- 
son and Elijah Allen, all earnest men, of rare ability. The first sacrament 
was administered in Col. Stewart's barn. Father Dickey was called to be- 
come the united pastor of the church at Washington C. H., formed in 1813 
and the one at Bloomingburg, and preached his first sermon November 22, 
1817. when the church was really formed. In the following December he 
brought his family on from Kentucky and resided for three years ; then, 
having decided to remove to Bloomingburg. a sufficient force of men and 
teams were sent for him, bringing also the log cabin in which he had resided, 
which was placed about a half mile southwest of the present church, sur- 
rounded by a dense hazel patch. 

In 1830 the old log church Imilding gave way to a brick structure of 
larger proportions. This was often assaulted by whiskey and slave-power 
mobs, and discussions which brought people from a long distance were held 
in it. In 1871 a neat frame structure was built. The society is still flourish- 
ing and doing a good work in the vicinity where it was so long ago estab- 
lished. 

The pastors who have faithfully served this congregation have included 
these in their order : Revs. William Dickey. Robert W. Wilson, Edward 
Cooper, John Woods, Clark Kendall, John ]\Ioore, Rev. Kruge. 

METHODISM IN FAYETTE COUNTY. 

Grace Methodist Episcopal church at Washington C. H. was organized 
at the solicitation of John Bohran during the summer of 181 7, by John Solo- 
mon and Thomas Carr, at the house of Robert Wilson. 

The pastors who have served in this church have been : John Solomon 
and Thomas Carr, 1818; William P. Finley, 1819; Andrew McLain, 1820; 
D. D. Davidson, 1821; James Smith, 1822: John Summerville and James 
Smith. 1823; Beniamin Laurence and George Gatch. 1824; Andrew F. Bax- 
ter, 1825-6; Z. Westlake, 1827; James T. Donahoe and Jesse Prior, 1830; 
Augustus Eddy and William T. Snow. 1831 ; William T. Snow and Henry 
Turner, 1832 (name changed to Washington circuit in 1832) ; James Turner 
and E. M. Dailey, 1833; E. T. Webster and Lester James, 1834; E. T. 
Webster and John Rogers, 1835; C. C. Lyhand and J. A. Brown. 1836; S. 
Clarke and E. Estell. 1837; Eli Truett and Joseph AI. Smith, 1838; James 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 223 

J^aws and Henry Wharton. 1839; James Laws and B. A. Cassat, 1840; 
Joseph A. Reeder and B. A. Cassat, 1841 ; John Fitch and O. P. Williams, 
1842; Noah Hough, 1843; N. Hough and Martin Wolf, 1844; John W. 
Keeley and B. X. Spahr, 1845; Keeley and V. Beemer, 1846; J. B. Austin 
and Archibald Flemming, 1847; J- B. Auston, 1848; T. W. Chandler and S. 
Haines, 1849; Samuel Brown and M. G. Baker, 1850; M. G. Baker, S. Mid- 
dleton and J. C. Reed, 185 1 ; Barton Lowe and H. F. Green, 1852; B. Lowe 
and William Sutton, 1853; Moses T. Bowman and W. Sutton, 1854; L P. 
Morris and J. T. P. Williams, 1855-6. It was constituted a station, with one 
hundred and sixty-seven members, and Thomas H. Phillips was pastor in 
1868-9; Henry T. Magill, 1860-1 ; Isaac Cook, 1862-3; E. H. Dixon, 1864; 
E. P. Hall, 1865-6; J. B. Brodreck, 1867-8-9; G. F. King, 1870-1 ; Samuel 
A. Keene, 1872-3; A. C. Hirst, 1874-5; James H. Gardner, 1877-8-9; W. D. 
Chemingten. 1880; T. M. Leslie, 1880-83; J- W. Peters, 1883-86; W. H. 
Lewis, 1887-88; D. C. Thomas, 1888-91; Franklin McElfresh. 1891-96; A. 
E. Johnson, 1896-97; W. H. Lewis, 1897-99; A. H. Norcross, 1899-1902; 
J. C. Arbuckle, 1902-07; Thomas W. Locke, 1907-12; Frederick E. Ross, 
19 1 2 and still pastor. 

Methodism is now one hundred and eight years old in the world — 
having started in 1734 in England, under John Wesley, of Oxford. And 
•one hundred and twenty years ago it had its birth in America. The church 
now has forty-one thousand five hundred traveling ministers and almost 
seven million membership. 

The Ohio Methodist conference was held at Washington C. H. in the 
month of September, 1914. 

After the organization of the society in 181 7 services were held part of 
the time at the old court house and a part of the time at the residences of 
5ome of the congregation until 1828. In that year the brick school on Market 
street, later a part of the residence of Richard Millikan, was completed and 
■occupied by this congregation for church purposes till 1834, when the brick 
church on the north corner of Main and Market streets was built. This was 
an immense structure for a village like Washington C. H. in those days. As 
the walls of this building were not considered safe, it was never finished on 
the inside and on account of its unfinished condition it could be occupied in 
the summer months only and in three years was abandoned entirely. From 
this time until 1845 the society occupied the court house and the Presbyterian 
church, when a frame church was erected on Market between Fayette and 
North streets. This was used until 1866, when a brick church was built at 
the cost of fourteen thousand dollars. 



224 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



THE NEW CHURCH. 



The present beautiful church edifice of this denomination in Washing- 
ton C. H. was erected in 1896, on the corner of North street and East Mar- 
ket. The entire building seats about twelve hundred. A pipe organ was pur- 
chased for five thousand dollars, and the bell used years ago in the old church 
is still in use. The church and parsonage have now an estimated value of 
eighty-nine thousand dollars. Wesley chapel, in another part of the city, is 
valued at five thousand dollars, making a grand total of church property of 
ninety- four thousand dollars. The membership in 19 14 was reported at the 
conference at one thousand two hundred seventy-seven. The present church 
building is of a fine style and there are but few in Ohio any better, in large or 
small cities. The parsonage was erected in 19 10. It is modern throughout. 

Wesley chapel, aboN'e mentioned, is another Methodist Episcopal church 
of this city and is under the jurisdiction of Grace church. A good building 
was erected about 1904, in the outskirts of the city. 

West Lancaster Methodist Episcopal church, of Jefl^erson township, 
was organized at the house of Joseph Straley, one and a half miles southeast 
of West Lancaster, in about 1850. After using a school house for some 
years it was decided best to build a log church on the Jamestown and Wasli- 
ington road, a mile and a half east of West Lancaster, where services were 
held until 1858-59, when a frame building, thirty-six by forty-eight feet, was 
constructed. On account of the coming on of the Civil War the building 
was not completed until 1863. The pioneer pastors stationed here were: 
Revs. Alfred Hance, Adams (who went to Texas), Joseph Tremble, T. W. 
Stanley, S. S. Stivers, Cartridge and R. L DeSelm. Later this church was in 
the Jeffersonville circuit and London district. 

In Jefferson township another Methodist church was formed in 1865, 
on the farm then, or possibly later owned by Milan L. Smith, military survey 
1256. An organization was effected here and maintained for many years. 
The Protestant Methodists also held their services there. 

In Jasper township the early settlers were of a remarkable religious ten- 
dency, and of the real practical type, too. It was in 1812, two years after 
the organization of the county, that James Brooks, a Methodist minister of 
Virginia, effected a church organization here in the Coile-Bush neighborhood, 
and ser\'ed as pastor many years. No church building was provided for this 
active class until 1843. This was a rude, round-pole building, and served 




GRACE M. E. CHURCH, WASHINGTON C. H 




PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON, C H. 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 22$ 

well its purpose until 1864, when Mount Carmel church was erected one 
mile to the east of Jasper Mills. This cost one thousand two hundred dollars. 

Another Methodist church was formed in 1840, in the township, on the 
Albert Mark land. One followed in 1843, on the Coons estate. These were 
both hewed-log buildings. In 1846 another society of this denomination 
was added to the township, a short distance from Plymouth. This building 
was in use until 1866, when a good brick building was built at Plymouth. 

Another Methodist society was organized in the Center neighborhood 
in 1848. A school house was their place of worship till 185 1. About this 
date a church was erected near the school house where they had worshiped, 
costing two thousand two hundred dollars. This was on the Allen pike. In 
1878 the Harmony church, located six miles west of Washington C. H., on 
the Palmer pike, was established. The building cost one thousand five hun- 
dred dollars. Joel Dolby was the first minister. 

In Concord township a larger portion of the early settlers were of the 
Methodist Episcopal faith. Meetings were held in numerous cabins. In 
1830 there was no regular organized church of this denomination in the 
township. But between 1830 and 1832 a class must have been formed. 
Henry Turner is named as the first circuit rider in the neighborhood. He 
came over from Hillsboro and in order to meet his flock was compelled to 
travel over unbridged streams and without pikes, a distance of almost thirty 
miles each trip. He rode his horse twenty-seven days a month in order to 
fill all of his appointments. Other circuit riders were John Collins and Will- 
iam Simmons. In 1850-51 a neat and well constructed building was pro- 
vided. In 1 88 1 this church was reported to the conference as being in ex- 
cellent condition. 

In Green township the Buena Vista Methodist Episcopal church was 
organized about 183 1-2, on Rattlesnake creek, near present Buena Vista, in 
a school house where the voters of the township usually assembled to cast 
their annual votes. A small church was built in 1845, ^^^'^ ten years later a 
larger, better house was provided. 

The oldest of all Methodist societies in this township was the Olive 
Chapel Methodist Episcopal church, which class worshiped in a rude log cabin 
for a number of years. Its history has faded with the passing of years. The 
last account we have is of the erection of a frame chapel about i860. 

In Perry township the first Methodist Episcopal church was organized 
at the home of Jesse Rowe, in 181 6. Services were there continued until 
1834, when Mr. Rowe built Rowe's chapel, on land of his own, David Gar- 
ruiger, a carpenter of the neighborhood, doing the carpenter work. After 

(15) 



226 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

long years, and the numerous changes in the settlement, this society went 
down. 

Another church of this denomination was organized by Rev. John King, 
at his home, in 1820. Private homes and a school house on Sugar creek 
served as meeting houses until 1851, when Sugar Grove chapel, a frame 
structure, was erected at the cost of about nine hundred dollars. 

The Cochran Methodist Episcopal church, of Perry township, was or- 
ganized as an off-shoot from the Rowe church, and took place about 1820 at 
the house of Barnabas Cochran, who subsequently donated a lot on which 
the society erected a log church building, which was occupied until 1851, 
when a neat frame church was built at a supposed cost of one thousand 
dollars. 

The next organization of a church was the one at Martinsburg, prior 
to 1836, by Robert Buck, services being held in an empty store room. In 
1838 a log church was built, and a few years later a frame structure was built. 

Good Hope Methodist Episcopal church of Wayne township was organ- 
ized and received as a mission by the Staunton circuit in 1857. The school 
house in district No. 2 was used for a meeting place until 1858-9, when, 
through the efforts of J. H. Parrett, a church was erected. At first there 
were but seven members belonging to the class and Rev. J. W. Steele had 
charge of the little flock. In September, 1859, a neat church w^as dedicated 
by Rev. J. M. Trimble, and by i860 there was a membership of thirty-five. 
In 1878 Rev. L. C. Brooks was sent here by the conference and he was suc- 
cessful in carrying forward the work by almost a perpetual revival, in which 
many were added to the class, making in all a membership of about two hun- 
dred in eighteen months. He started to agitate a new church scheme, but, 
owing to depressed finances in the country, it had to be postponed until 1880, 
when the matter was again brought up. In the summer of 1881 the building 
was completed at a cost of five thousand dollars. It was erected in form of 
a Roman cross, surmounted by a seventy-foot tower. It was remodeled in 
1900. The church now has a meml^ership of about two hundred. The 
pastors since 1882-3 have been: Revs. A. R. Miller, A. B. Sniff, W. T. 
Harvey, M. H. Acton, George Cherrington, Ralph Watson, B. E. Thomas, 
P. H. Chappelear, R. C. Orndorf, C. A. Hughes, George Creamer, and the 
present pastor, C. L. Pfaltgraf. The recording steward has been for many 
years E. D. King. 

Madison chapel was organized as a church in 1868 by Rev. David Smith. 
But before that services had been held by the Methodist Protestant and 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 22/ 

Presbyterian denominations for a dozen or more years. The church edifice 
was erected in 1869. It was dedicated December 19th, L. Cunningham 
preaching the sermon. On the day of dedication he raised about seven hun- 
dred dollars to free the church of debt. Its total cost was about two thou- 
sand five hundred dollars. Henry Fulton donated one acre of land for burial 
purposes and gave one hundred and fifty dollars towards the building of 
the church. Later it became a part of the Mount Sterling circuit. 

In Paint township there was organized a Methodist Episcopal church 
in 1835. A revival was held by Rev. Wolf and was highly successful. 
In 1840 a frame structure was built and called Union chapel. It was usually 
occupied by the Methodists ; however, a New Light minister, named Lewis 
Green, occasionally held his services there. This church finally went down 
for lack of interest and support. 

Good Hope circuit was organized from Staunton circuit in September, 
1873, and embraced the societies at Good Hope, Sugar Grove, Cochran and 
Martinsburg. During 1874 there were added to the church many new mem- 
bers, and the repairs and changes on the building cost about one thousand 
dollars. In 1880 the total membership was three hundred ninety-one. 

The first church in Marion township was formed in 18 14. It was the 
Methodist Episcopal, and took place at the house of George Newman, at 
which place services continued to be held for over two years, then being- 
changed to the residence of George Bohrer. In 181 8 Salem Chapel, a hewed- 
log structure, was built on a lot donated by Flemming Twifford, in survey 
No. 7,559, for church and ]>urial purposes. The first to preach here was 
Rev. Bacon. The Salem burying ground is the oldest of any within this 
township. In 1822 the church was burned, but was soon rebuilt on the old 
site. Henry T. Bascom, the celel^rated preacher, was among the first pastors. 
In 1833 this church was transferred from the Deer Creek circuit to the old 
Washington circuit, and was occupied until about 1853. The early members 
included the best men and women of the township. 

Pleasant Hill, or ''Yankeetown," Methodist Episcopal church, in Madison 
township, was organized at John Thomas's house, in Pickaway county, two 
miles east of Yankeetown, on the Circleville road. The first members were 
William Timmons, John Thomas, William Morgan. Leonard Jefferson and 
Samuel Bennett. All but two lived in Fayette county. Henry B. Bascom 
formed the society and was its first preacher. The first six years services 
were held at the house of Mr. Thomas and at Morgan's, after which a hewed- 
log house was erected a mile east of Yankeetown, on the Circleville road. 



228 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Pleasant Hill chapel was built in 1823 and dedicated by Rev. James B. Find- 
ley. The membership had grown to thirty-eiglit at that date. 

At Jeffersonville, the Methodist church was organized in 1878, when 
John Williams w^as class leader and Ed. Gray steward. The present mem- 
bership is one hundred. The present brick edifice was erected in 1889-90, 
and dedicated in September of year last mentioned. It is located on Maple 
and Walnut streets and cost fourteen thousand dollars. Before this building 
was erected the society always w^orshiped in the old Union church building, 
on Main street. The pastors serving this charge have been in order as fol- 
lows : Revs. J. E. Moore, David Mann, R. I. DeSelmn. T. Herman Carter, 
W. S. Benner, R. A. LeMaster. J. M. Stewart, R. H. Griffith. C. S. Naylor, 
Edwin Sherwood, L. W. Miller, W. H. Mitchell, W. J. Prior, G. D. Clifford^ 
T. L. Haas, and H. K. Wishon, present pastor. 

THE BLOOAIINGBURG METHODIST CHURCH. 

There is a dispute as to which was really the first church organized in 
Fayette county, and it stands between the Baptist and Methodist Episcopal 
people, both dating as far back as 181 3. The church of the Methodist de- 
nomination in the county dates from 181 3. three years before the town was 
platted. At first the place was styled New Lexington, and some called it 
"New Purchase." This dates back to nine years before the birth of U. S. 
Grant. It was organized by Jesse Rowe, for w^hom Rowe's chapel was named 
in later vears. Rev. Ralph Lotspeich was the first minister sent to Bloom- 
ingburg and the first quarterly meeting was held at the house of Joel Woods, 
on Paint creek, in 181 1. It will be understood that there was a circuit which 
included this station prior to the formation of the church at New' Lexington 
( Bloomingburg). The first house of worship was erected prior to 1820; it 
was a frame structure which stood on the north side of the alley from the 
later Presbyterian church building, and it was abandoned in 1850. During 
the year last named a lot w-as purchased and in 1851 a building was enclosed, 
but not finished until 1853; it w^as dedicated by Dr. Frederick ]\Ierrick. In 
1856 the society had a membership of fifty-six. In 1862 it was transferred 
to what was styled the Bloomingburg circuit, having previously been within 
Washington circuit. In 1894 a new^ building was erected at Bloomingburg, 
costing about eight thousand five hundred dollars ; the corner-stone was laid 
June 5, 1894. At present the membership is three hundred and thirteen, 
and the appointment at Madison Alills has a membership of two hundred and 
seven. At the latter point a frame church built in 1869 is still doing service; 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 229 

there was an addition and repairs made on this in 1900. The brick church 
erected at Bloomingbnrg in 1894 is still in good condition. 

As long- as this is the pioneer church society in Fayette county, and from 
the fact that great care has been taken to collect a list of all pastors, it is but 
befitting that such a record be here given, and the same is here subjoined : 
Revs. Ralph Lotspeich, 181 1 -12, assisted by Rev. Joseph Haines; Isaac Pavey 
and John Crowbill, 1813; Moses Troder, 1814; W. P. Finley, 1815; R. W. 
Finley, 1816; J. Hoopes and W. W. Westlake, 1817; J. Solomon and Thomas 
Carr, 1818; W. P. Finley, 1819; Andrew McLain, 1820; Daniel. D. David- 
son, 1821 ; James Smith, 1822; John Simmerville, 1823; David Lawrence 
and George Gach, 1824; A. L. Baxter, 1825; B. Westlake, 1826; James 
Donohue, 1828; J. P. Taylor and S. Miner, 1829; James Donohue and James 
Prior, 1830; August Eddy and Will Snow. 1831 ; W. L. Snow and Hepry 
Turner, 1832; James Quinn and E. E. Dailey, 1833; E. "F. Webster, 1834; 
C. C. Lybrand and James A. Brown, 1835; Jo^ri W. Clarke and Edward 
Estelle, 1836; Eli Truitt, 1837; James Laws, 1838, assisted by Henry 
Wharton; Barnard A. Casset, 1839; Joseph Reader and B. A. Casset, 1840; 
John Fitch, 1841 ; Noah Hough and H. Z. Adams, 1842; Martin Wolf, 1843; 
J. W. Kelley and B. H. Sphor, 1844; J- W. Kelley, 1845; James B. Austin 
and A. Fleming, 1846; A. Fleming and E. C. Townsend, 1847; Thomas W. 
Chandlier and G. Haines, 1848; Samuel Brown and Milton G. Baker, 1849; 
Milton G. Baker, Samuel Middleton and J. F. Reed, 1850; Barton Lowe, 
H. F. Green and E. H. Dixon, 1851 ; B. Lowe, William Sutton, 1852; Moses 
B. Bowman and Wilham Sutton, 1853; Joseph Morris and J. F. Williams, 
1854; the same in 1855; Addison Nichols, 1856; Samuel Middleton, 1857; 
L. F. Drake and E. H. Heagler, 1858; T. W. Stanley, 1859; L. S. Stivers 
and J. D. Fry, i860; J. O. Lakin, 1861 ; Abraham Cartlick, 1863; John 
Martin, 1864; Joseph Morris, 1865; Alonzo F. Hixon, 1866; David H. 
Smith, 1867; Richard Pitzer, 1869; W. F. Hughesy, 1870; Ancel Brooks, 
1871 ; A. H. Wirdro, 1872; L. F. Drake, 1874; William McLaughlin, 1875; 
J. W. Adams. 1876; George W. Burns, 1878; J. W. Wait, 1879; T. H. Hall, 
1880; J. H. Berry, 1882; F. M. Grimes, 1883; S. C. Frampton, 1886; W. H. 
Sayre, 1887; D. Storer, 1889; W. H. Hargett, 1891 ; F. S. Davis, 1895; ?• 
L. Mark, 1897; George Marshall, 1899; F. H. Smiley, 1900; B. P. Judd. 
1903; C. W. Brady, 1906; W. H. Mitchell, 1910; W. J. Jewett, 191 1; C. L. 
Thomas, 191 3 and still pastor. 



230 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The African Methodist Episcopal church was organized at Dennis 
Brown's house in July, 1867, by Reverend Arnett, of Circleville, and services 
were held at the house of several members of the congregation for more 
than a year. Hamilton was rented and occupied for some time, after which 
the congregation rented the old Methodist Episcopal church, where services 
were held about one year. In 1875 a committee, consisting of David Rogers 
and Mills Gardner, were appointed to negotiate the purchase of the old Cath- 
olic church, on Main street, for this congregation. This they accomplished, 
paying two thousand dollars for the property. Mr. Rogers donated one 
thousand dollars to the society toward the purchase. 

The charter members of the church at Washington C. H. were: Dennis 
and Erances Brown. Sarah Jackson, Harry Terry, C. and Margaret Johnson, 
Agnes Weaver, Thomas and Sophia Kees. The membership is now one hun- 
dred and seventy men The society is called Rogers African Methodist 
Episcopal church. The pastors having served are : Revs. Edward Wright, 
W'adkin Lee, R. Green, H. W. Toney, C. S. Bundy, J. W. Steward, B. N. 
Carson, Shilo Brown, H. M. Turner, Alfred Mercer, Edward Humpberry, 
C. H. Johnson, A. J. Means, R. J. Moetemore, H. E. Steward, Smith Carter, 
\V. P. Myers, G. W. Cotton. O. R. W-dliam, J. B. Harwood, L. W. White, 
S. \y. White, T. W. Woodson. 

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHES. 

This denomination was early in the field in this county, the same being an 
outgrowth of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1845 such a church was 
organized at Plymouth, and meetings were held at a school house a short dis- 
tance from the village, Robert Dobbins serving as the first and last minister, 
for the work was abandoned in 1846. Later a church of this denomination 
was organized in Milledgexille. 

The Pleasant A^alley Protestant Methodist church was organized in a 
school house on the William Waddle farm, on Snow Hill pike, with original 
members as follo\\s : Henry and Lucy Luttrell, Eli Plummer, Bird Webb, 
Jacob Allen, Sarah Allen. Samuel Allen, a local preacher. Harriet Allen, 
Deborath Morris, Joseph Stevenson and wife and Mr. and Mrs. William 
Tainer. A good frame church building was erected and served for many 
years. This was associated with the \\'ashington circuit. 

White Oak Grove Methodist Protestant church was formed cotemporary 



c^ 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 23I 

with the formation of the denomination. Robert Dobbins had long been a 
consistent member and pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, but became 
dissatisfied and proceeded to organize a society under the discipline of the 
then new denomination. Up to 1835 meetings were held in school houses 
and at private houses, but during that year they erected a small frame build- 
ing in which to worship, at the lower end of the cemetery in Green township. 
This served until 1857, when another church was erected. This society in 
1880 was reported as not strong, but made up of faithful believers. Reverend 
Hinkle was pastor at that date. 

In Madison township a church of this denomination was formed at 
White Oak, by Raymouth Hussey, and services held in school houses until 
1858, when a frame building was erected. Here the Universalists, Friends, 
Baptists and others also used to hold their meetings. 

Mount Olive Methodist Protestant church was formed by Rev. Father 
Dobbins, of Jamestown, Greene county, Ohio, and at first consisted of the 
following members : Henry Burnett and wife, Thomas Burnett and wife, 
Peter Fultz and wife, John Coile and wife and George Hinkle and wife. For 
fourteen years services were held in the winter season at the different dwell- 
ings of the members and in sunmier in barns and in the groves. Father 
Dobbins came at stated intervals to preach. In 183 1 he removed to the 
banks of Sugar creek, four miles west of Washington, and settled in the 
midst of his small flock, in whose interest he worked until his death, on 
January 13, i860, at the age of ninety-two. In 1843 this little congregation, 
with the help of some outsiders, erected a large hewed-log church on the 
banks of Sugar creek, on land owned by Daniel Bush, which was dedicated 
as a Methodist Protestant church, but which was named Union church, as it 
was understood that when not occupied by the Methodist Protestant denomi- 
nation it was to be free to all and any other churches. The membership in- 
creased very slowly. 

About the year 1856 it was thought best for the convenience of some of 
the members to divide the class, which was accordingly done, and the branch 
organization held services in what was called the Coile school house, two 
miles north of the church, till 1863, when the society erected an elegant frame 
church on the farm of Isaac Coile, near the Coile cemetery on the Plymouth 
pike, and named it Sugar Creek chapel from the name of the creek on whose 
banks it stood. The members remaining in the class at Mount Olive, con- 
sidering the old church too much dilapidated for further use, in 1863 selected 
a site on the farm of Samuel Coile, on the Wilmington pike, three miles w^est 



232 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

of Washington, on which, in 1864, they built a commodious frame church 
at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars. 

Harmony church, on the Plymouth pike, six miles northwest of Wash- 
ington, is an outgrowth of the Mount Olive church. 

The Methodist Protestant church at Jeffersonville was a part of the 
original circuit embracing five points, but is now reduced to points as follows : 
Jeffersonville, Spring Grove, Plain View and Blessings chapel. The church 
here was organized in 1829-30 by Rev. A. H. Trumbel. It now has a mem- 
ber in the person of Father Wallace Creamer, who is ninety-six years old and 
has been a member in this church for seventy-seven years. He lives just 
west of Jeffersonville. The society at Jeffersonville erected a church in 1874 
which served well until 1901, when the present large red brick edifice was con- 
structed and is valued at twenty thousand dollars. The 19 14 membership is 
two hundred and thirty-one. A good frame parsonage is on the next lot 
adjoining the church lot. Among the ministers who have faithfully served 
are Reverends Kingsley, Jonathan Flood, O. P. Stevens. James Baker, Reuben 
Rose, Ravenscroft, J. P. Williams. S. S. Fleming, J. F. Hedrick, E. H. Wood- 
worth, J. E. Bailey, J. Shepard, J. Webster, M. M. Campbell, M. R. Stover, 
E. W. Price. B. B. Courtwright and C. B. Doty, the present pastor. 

Of the Washington circuit it may be stated that it contains five preaching 
points and societies within Fayette county. These are situated as follows : 
Mt. Olive, where a church was erected in 1864. and now valued at five hun- 
dred dollars. Here a new church is in course of erection. The membership 
is seventy. At Milledgeville, a church was built in 1882, value two thousand 
five hundred dollars ; membership about twenty at this date. At Harmony, a 
church was built about 1877; present membership, fifty. Pleasant Valley, 
between 1865 and 1868, a society was formed; present membership, about 
seventy. At White Oak Grove a church was formed before the Civil-war 
period. It now has a membership of one hundred and fifty. These build- 
ings are all frame structures. Then there is one more church of this denom- 
ination in the county, that at Wliite Oak, Madison township ; its membership 
is now verv small and it is supplied from Jeffersonville now. 

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

This church is the creature of the fifth missionary district of the Ohio 
Missionary Society. It is a mission of the district board. They instructed 
J. C. Irvin to go to Washington and make a reconnoisance. He visited all 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 233 

members in the city and established preaching temporarily in the Baptist 
church. This was continued for five months. 

In December, 1874, Rev. W. W. Sawyer and Mr. Irvin joined in a 
tmion service of Baptists and Disciples, which meeting lasted one week; an 
intercommunion service was held and friendly relations cultivated. This 
year several sermons were preached in the city hall. 

During the next winter, Elder Robert Moffett, state evangelist, of Cleve- 
land, Ohio, held a meeting of three weeks in the Baptist house of worship, 
which was well attended. The interest, good from the beginning, increased 
to the close. At this meeting two young ladies were added to the church. 

The board, encouraged by this meeting, determined to make the mission 
permanent. J. C. Irvin was continued in the management. His health fail- 
ing, however, he was not able to preach and was compelled to abandon active 
work. During the year 1878 he held Bible service and social meetings in the 
temperance hall. These meetings began as early as November, 1877, and 
were held regularly thereafter. 

The organization dates from April 6, 1879. There were but six mem- 
bers present, whose names were J. C. Irvin, Mrs. J. C. Irvin, Miss Jennie 
Davis, Mrs. Maggie C. Hess, Mrs. Julia Benjamin and S. Eldan Irvin. In 
November, 1880. a Sunday school was organized in the city hall and the meet- 
ings removed to that place. 

In 1884 the society erected the present brick edifice on the corner of East 
Temple and North streets. It has served until the present, but is entirely too 
small for the rapidly-increasing congregation, and plans are maturing for 
the building of a more modern and a much larger church building. The 
present membership is over four hundred and the Sunday school is more 
than three hundred and growing monthly. Rev. Bowman Hosttler, present 
pastor, has been connected here since 19 10. He was preceded by Reverends 
Wingerd and W. H. Bowden, the last named being pastor for five years. 

The only other church of this denomination in Fayette county is the one 
at Pleasant View, in the midst of an excellent farming community not far 
from Jeffersonville. The society does not have a regular minister at present, 
but is supplied by that grand old man, Rev. J. O. Flax, who is a wealthy land 
owner of that section, and has preached this doctrine for more than thirty 
years for this congregation. This church was formed in 1877 and a building 
at once erected and is still in use. The membership in 1881 was reported 
eighty- four. 

In Marion township this denomination organized a church near New 



234 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Holland, and under peculiar trials, as they had to contend with the warring- 
elements of the Ba])tist. United Brethren and Methodists. In 1858 a real 
church organization was finally effected at a school house. They were then 
usually styled Campljellites or Disciples. A Sunday school was not formed 
until 1874. 

THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCHES. 

About 183 1 a society of this denomination was organized at the house 
of David Turnipseed, and various home meetings were held until 1850, when 
the Otterbein chapel was built in Marion township. During the Civil War 
this society went down, but in 188 1, when a Methodist church was built this 
society held frecjuent meetings. A frame church was built, as noted already, 
and a general conference of the denomination was held therein in the autumn 
of 1850. Among the delegates present was one colored preacher, who, on 
account of race prejudice, had hard w^ork to secure boarding accommodations, 
Init ^^■as finally taken care of by Mr. and Mrs. Fuller Hess, of the community, 
he being a leader in the Christian church. A Sabbath school was formed in 
1 85 1, with Thomas Roseboom as its first superintendent. This denomina- 
tion largely united with the Christian and ]\Iethodist Protestant denomina- 
tions in later years. 

BAPTIST CHURCHES. 

In Madison township, the Baptist society organized a church July 17, 
1 81 3, being among the oldest churches in Fayette county. The charter mem- 
bers were Samuel, Lucretia and Caleb Gaskill, Peter Timmons, Lettie Pan- 
coast, Barzilla Rozel, Polly Rozel and Sarah \^andaler. Thomas Crabb and 
Catherine Blue were baptized into this church in October, 181 3. Rev. Isaac 
]\lcHenry was the first pastor called and commenced in 1813. After three 
years the society was without a pastor for eight years, but not long after this 
Rev. J. B. Moore, of Kentucky, was called and served twenty-five years as 
pastor. From the date of formation of the church up to 1829 services were 
held at the homes of various members, and from that year on to 1844 a school 
house was occupied. Later John Messmore erected a suitable church for 
the congregation, at Waterloo. Its cost was eight hundred dollars. 

Pleasant View Baptist church was organized in Jefiferson township near 
Pleasant View, Ijy N. M. Longfellow, with about twenty-five charter mem- 
bers, in 1865-6. Soon thereafter they erected a frame edifice in which to 
worship. In 1880 there were fiftv members. Among the early-da v pastors 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 2^5 

will be recalled by older men and women the names of Reverends Churciiill, 
Moore, Perry, Longfellow and IMcIlvaine. 

Paint Creek Baptist church was organized in 1818, and in 1840 it had 
a membership of more than a hundred, while the association had tive hundred 
and forty-five in all, the same being known as the Scioto Presbyterian Baptist 
Association, organized in 1805, Pleasant Run being the first church formed 
in the association. When the Civil War came on, there was a split in this 
church which was never healed. 

Good Hope Baptist church, according to a sketch written many years 
since by Rev. S. C. Tussing, was organized in 1834. The woods served as 
the meeting places, there being no suitable houses in which to worship. Elder 
Snelson was perhaps the first preacher to bring a message to these Baptist 
believers in Wayne township. In 1838 a meeting house was erected and 
served many vears. The first regular pastor was Elder Burnet, who preached 
only once a month. Elder J. R. Moore finally was called to preach in con- 
junction with Reverend Burnet, and in time a great trouble arose which 
severed the church membership. It was over "home" and "foreign mis- 
sions." It was bitter in its character. One faction held to paying only 
toward home causes, while the other wing contended that foreign fields 
should also be looked after. Elder Burnet and his minority of nine mem- 
bers left the others in 183 J and organized a church of their own known as 
the Good Hope Baptist church. These members were as follows : John 
Harper, Delilah Harper, Susannah Brakefield, James and Rebecca Cory, 
Greenup Campbell and wife, Elizabeth Bainter and Parence Brannon. The 
other wing, after a time, refused to let this side worship in the building and 
so they built one of their own. At this point was finally built the village of 
Good Hope. In March, 1881, a new church building was commenced, a 
brick structure thirty-six by forty-eight feet, costing two thousand five hun- 
dred dollars. At that date this church had a membership of seventy-five. 
The present ( 1914) membership is thirty-three. The pastors serving since 
about 1890 are: Revs. D. Trickier, W. R. Thomas, J. B. Islep, B. J. George, 
N. H. Long, J. Niddic. J. Giboney, Arthur Cooper, Albert Venting, N. H. 
Long, T. T. Carey, N. A. Cush. 

The Regular Baptist Church of Christ, in Paint Creek, was made up of 
members transferred from Caesar's Creek church, in Greene county, in 1822. 
Services were held in the vicinity up to 1846, when an edifice was provided 
the congregation, at Bloomingburg, and it was then known as the First 
Regular Baptist church. Here the first pastor was Elder Chandler Tuttle. 
who died in 1863 ; after this the church soon went down. 



236 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

The Old School Baptist church in Paint township at first met at various 
huikhngs within the vicinity, then erected a small chapel on the Blooming- 
burg and Midway pike. After a number of years' struggle the society ceased 
to exist. 

Fairview German Baptist church was the hrst Dunkard society in Fay- 
ette county. It was founded here by John Cadwallader and Peter Eyman. 
A school house was built in 1844 and the land was donated with the under- 
standing that the building should also 1)e free to this society. Cadwallader 
commenced preaching in the new building. In 1853-4 a building was erected 
at the junction of the New Holland road and the Chillicothe and Washing- 
ton i)ike. It was a frame structure, forty by sixty feet. Meetings were had 
twice each month. 

The First Baptist church of Washington C. H. was formed by eleven 
persons, namely : John Franks, WMlliam Harper, Z. W. Baughn, Samuel F. 
Yeoman, Asenath ^'eoman, Bethiah L. Yeoman, N. K. Dikerson, Mary 
Franks, Rebecca Baughn, Rebecca Blue and Mary Curry. These were the 
constituted members of the church. For many years Asenath Yeoman was 
the only Baptist in Washington. 

The church, w^as organized in due form on February 21, 1840. Revs. 
Azel Waters and Albert Wedge acted as moderator and clerk. The session 
Avas held in the Presbyterian church. 

The pastors have been : Revs. • Azel Waters, Albert Wedge. A. D. 
Freman, W. D. Woodruff, I. K. Brcinson, Thomas Goodwin, W. D. Wood- 
ruff, J. W. Heistand. J. B. Tuttil, C. T. Emerson, J. R. Powell, Winham 
Kidder, Armstrong. W. W. Sawyer, S. T. Griswold, C. A. McManis, J. R. 
Powell, C. W. Lloyd. C. V. Northrup, T. B. Collins. W. H. Wagoner, W. J. 
Coulston. W. B. Hartzog, A. J. Tuttle, July, igoo, to August, 1901 ; J. J. 
Kett, September, 1906, to December 10, 1908; W. A. Gibboney, November. 
1901, to November, 1902; F. W. Irvin, December, 1902, to September, 1906; 
A. W. West, May 16, 1909, and present pastor. 

This church now enjoys a membership of two hundred and fifty-eight. 
On August 24, 1844, this church was received into the Straight Creek Bap- 
tist Association, but in 1849 i^ was transferred to Caesar Creek Association 
(now Clinton). In 1847, when Rev. A. D. Woodruff became pastor, ser- 
vices were held in the old court house. In 1862, under Rev. T. C. Emmerson 
as pastor, a house of worship was erected at a cost of eight thousand dollars. 
On September 8, 1885, a cyclone destroyed the church, but on September 21, 
1888, a new church was dedicated, the cost of which edifice was ten thousand 
dollars. In 1890 a parsonage was provided the society. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 237 



SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, COLORED. 



The Second Baptist church of Washington C. H. was organized June 
12, 1855, by Elder George \V. Bryant, with three members: Jordan Kelly, 
James L. Thornton and Boswell Kelly. Jacob Emmons, a licensed preacher, 
was called as a supply, and preached for them until the year 1858, when 
Elder A. Carter was called to the pastorate. In the latter part of 1858 he 
departed this life. He was succeeded by Elder R. Allen, who continued in 
charge of the church until i860, when he was succeeded by Elder A. Pratt, 
who continued pastor till 1866. He was succeeded by Elder Cox. 

Up to the year 1867 there had been no special revival of religion, but the 
church had gradually grown from three members to thirty. In the winter 
of 1867, under the administration of Elder Cox, an interesting revival took 
place and thirty persons were added to the church. Elder Cox remainecl 
pastor till 1872, when he was succeeded -by Elder John Powell, who remained 
pastor till some time in the year 1873. Elder Powell was succeeded by W. 
A. Meredith, a licensed preacher who was ordained in 1875 and remained 
pastor till about the year 1877. During his pastorate a very interesting re- 
vival was held, which resulted in the addition of twenty-seven members to 
the church. Elder Meredith was succeeded by Elder Benjamin Smith, who 
took charge of the church in 1878 and remained pastor till June. 1879, when 
he was succeeded by Elder E. M. Marion, in Septemljer. On the first of 
January, 1880, a revival of religion was begun and resulted in fifty additions 
to the church, making in all about one hundred and sixty members who had 
been received into the fellowship of the church. 

In the year 1857 the church purchased a lot on North street, opposite 
the Central school building, and built a frame house, in which they held 
services until about the year 1868, when the old house was torn down, and 
a brick building erected, costing about two thousand five hundred dollars. 

There has been a Sabbath school connected with the church since the 
vear 1858. The society still flourishes, but no data was furnished the author. 
It is understood that a new building is being contemplated in the near future. 
There is also a good colored Baptist church at Bloomingburg. 



THE FRIENDS SOCIETY. 



A little colony of Eriends (Quakers) was established in Perry township 
among the pioneer settlers. This colony included Isaac Toddhunter, Thomas 
and Alonlica Ellis and David Dutton, all making their settlement in the spring 



238 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

of 1805, soon after which they begun to hold informal meetings on the 
corner of Mr. Toddhunter's yard, but no organized effort took place until 
1809, when a subordinate branch was had and it was styled the Walnut 
Creek church. Many of its later membership resided in Highland county. 
In 1880 the society numbered two hundred. It was doubtless this society 
which in later years built the brick edifice near New Martinsburg wdiich in 
February, 1904, was demolished by the great wind storm. It was a fine 
building', situated in Walnut creek, and was built about 1892. It was com- 
pletely destroyed, the roof ha^'ing been blown into a near-by field and the 
main structure reduced, before anything was known of it by the neighbors. 

THE FREE CHURCH ASSOCIATION. 

In about the year 1848 the citizens of Jeffersonville organized a society 
which had for its o])ject the erection of a church, to be non-sectarian in its 
character and to be occupied by the various denominations alternately. The 
stockholders met March 6, 1848. and purchased a part of the school lot in 
district No. 13 and decided to erect a house of worship thereon, which was to 
be of frame, fiftv-four feet in length and thirty-eight feet in width. It was 
stipulated that the house should be used by all denominations and the Sons 
of Temperance were granted the privilege of building" a stairway to the gar- 
ret and occupying the same, provided they made the necessary improvements. 
Its friends subscribed nine hundred eighty-three dollars and fifty-seven cents, 
in addition to which separate funds were raised for the stoves and lamps, the 
latter by the ladies. The church was occupied by the Methodist, Universalist 
and Methodist Protestant denominations and has been in charge of a non- 
sectarian board of trustees. 

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

The First Universalist church of Jeffersonville was organized in August, 
i860, by Rev. E. Moore, of Locust Grove, Adams county, Ohio, in the Union 
meeting house. Officers were soon elected as follows : William Palmer, 
Joseph Hidy, John F. Gregg, deacons and trustees; Gilbert Ferrell. treasurer, 
and H. K. Peterson, secretary. Rev. Moore continued as pastor eight years 
and was succeeded by Rev. W. S. Bascom, who gave way to Rev. L. D. H. 
Corw in, and he in turn to Reverend Tucker, who remained three years. 
Then followed Miss Prud Le Clerk, a distant relative of Napoleon Bonaparte, 
and she died Christmas day, 1878. In 1873 the society commenced to build 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 239 

a church edifice of brick, costing four thousand dollars. In 1881 this society 
had a membership of about sixty-three. At one date it had enrolled over 
eighty members, but death and remo\al from the county had depleted its 
numbers largely, ^bhe organization is still maintained, however. Mrs. H. 
AIcGrew is the present secretary of the church. Meetings are not kept up 
regularly. 

TRINITY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

On Thursday evening. Deceml:ier 4, 1879, presided over by the Rev. 
J. H. Logic, rector of St. Phillip's churcli, Circleville, a meeting was held at 
the residence of Mr. J. M. Love. At that meeting all the persons in Wash- 
ington C. H. who were interested in the Episcopal church were present. An 
organization was effected by the election of an executive committee, com- 
posed of the following gentlemen: J. M. Love, Edwin Bird, R. AL Cham- 
pion, J. S. Gold, Clarence Snyder, Edwin Proctor and Charles A. Palmer. 
These gentlemen were invested with authority to act in the capacity of a 
vestry, Messrs. hove and Bird to act as wardens. 

Previous to this date (December 4, 1879) occasional services had been 
held by the Rev. Mr. Logic, of Circleville, and the Rev. Mr. Fischer, of 
Chillicothe, but at this meeting arrangements were made for regular services, 
and the first of such services were held on Thursday evening, December 11, 
1879. At this service further arrangements were made by which the Rev. 
Mr. Logic was to take pastoral oversight of the work and, with the assistance 
of the neighboring clergy, hold services on alternate Sundays in the Baptist 
church. 

The first Sunday service was held December 28, 1879. In the afternoon 
the Sunday school was organized. At first the school met at the residence 
of Mr. Love, but its growth was so rapid that it became necessary, in the 
course of three weeks, to take it to the church. For several months the 
services were held in the Baptist house of worship, but were removed to the 
city hall and subsequently to the court house. 

On the 1 6th of May. 1880, the mission was placed in the hands of the 
Rev. Norman H. Badger, who thus became the first rector of Trinity church. 
His tenure of ofiice, however, was very short, he being called to a parish in 
northern Ohio in January, 1881. For three months the mission was without 
a pastor. The Sunday school was, however, carried on by the ladies of the 
congregation, of whom mention may be made of Miss Nannie Love, Miss 
Julia Campbell, Mrs. J. C. Von Buhlow, Mrs. Champion and Miss Tinnie 
Cleaveland. 



240 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

In March, 1881, arrangements were made by which the Rev. George 
Rogers, a graduate of Bealey Hall Theological Seminary, Gambler, Ohiov 
and a presbyter of the diocese of Kentucky, took charge of the mission. 

With the passing years this church has not succeeded as have others, 
and at present the membership of communicants is small. They do not 
worship in a building of their own, but have frecjuent services. 

CHURCH OF CHRIST ( IN CHRISTIAN UNION ). 

This church was formed at Washington C. H., about 1904, by O. T. 
Terguson. It now has a membership of about one hundred. It owns a 
church building valued at from one thousand eight hundred dollars to two 
thousand dollars. The pastors who have had charge of the work since 
organization was perfected are Revs. O. T. Terguson, J. H. McKibban and 
H. C. Leeth. 

There are also churches of this denomination in Fayette county, as 
'follows: On the Fayette county side of the village of New Holland is 
found a handsome church property. There the work was organized by J. H. 
McKibban, in 1902. At Pancoastburg, Reverend McKibban also formed a 
church in 1902. The work was also organized at Jeffersonville, this county. 

OLDEST CHURCH BUILDING IN COUNTY. 

The oldest church building in Fayette county was destroyed by a severe 
wind storm in February, 191 2. It stood on land owned by William S. 
Parker, five miles north of Bloomingburg, and was erected by the Baptist 
denomination about 1813 to 181 5. It was a frame structure and for many 
years has been used as a machine shed by the owner of the farm where it 
stood. It was on the side of the Bloomingburg and Sedalia pike. The storm 
demolished this old landmark and threw its ancient roof across the highway 
into a field. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

Catholic worship in Washington C. H. was begun, and for some time 
maintained, under very trying circumstances. Father Blake first celebrated 
mass in 1852 in a shanty occupied by Michael Flynn, while engaged in con- 
structing the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley railroad. The attendants 
were principally railroad men, most of whom left when the road was com- 
pleted. The following, however, remained and became the pillars of the 



FAYETTE COUN'IY, OHIO. 24 1 

present flourishing society: John Coghland and his brother, Thomas, 
Michael O'Garrath, Martin Brannan, John Saunders, Patrick Burke and 
mother, Mr. Grady and Michael Flynn. Father Blake continued to preach 
occasionally until the road was finished, after which Father Duffey, who was 
stationed at Circleville, came once a month, bringing with him a choir from 
that place. He first celebrated mass at Flynn's house, but shortly afterward 
Ely's hall, then just completed, was engaged, and Father Duffey continued 
to ccme until his death, which occurred at Circleville about one year after 
his first services at Washington. 

After Father Duffey's death. Father Reagan, stationed at Lancaster, 
came occasionally during one summer and ministered to the flock. After 
him, Father Everett, of Lancaster, paid it one visit ; and he was followed by 
Father Fitzgerald, of Columbus, who celebrated mass once. Father Pindar, 
who was stationed at Circleville, then came once a month for about one year, 
and mass was celebrated at Ely's hall and confessional held at John Sander's 
house. 

Near the close of Father Pindar's services, the Catholic church on Main 
street, now owned and occupied by the Colored Methodist church, was com- 
pleted, and was dedicated Ijy the Rev. Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati. 
Father Pindar and Father J. B. O'Donohue were present at the dedication. 
Pindar remained with this charge about one year, when he apostatized, mar- 
ried, and became an Episcopal minister. Archbishop Purcell appointed 
Father J. B. O'Donohue, stationed at Morrow, to take charge of the congre- 
gation. 

About six months after Father O'Donohue's appointment, he proposed 
to the congregation the erection of a more commodious place of worship, in 
a part of the town more suitable for a cemetery. Accordingly the church 
property on Main street was sold to the Colored Methodist church for the 
sum of two thousand dollars and three acres of land were purchased of 
Judge D. McLain at one hundred dollars per acre, east of town, just outside 
of the present corporation limits, on which a substantial two-story brick 
church, forty by sixty-two feet, was erected. 

In the fall of 1879 Father Felton, by nativity a German, succeeded 
Father O'Donohue. During his pastorate a fair was held, which was at- 
tended largely by Protestants, and one thousand, seven hundred dollars was 
cleared to the congregation, which was to be appropriated toward purchasing 
a residence for the priest. In August, 1880, Father Felton was transferred, 
(16) 



242 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and Father Michael O'Donohue was sent from Hillsboro, Ohio, to supply 
his place. 

This is not a strong Catholic county, hence the work is about all limited 
to that found in Washington C. H. A good brick church edifice was erected 
in 1885, and is still standing, and is capacious enough for the present congre- 
gation. The data for further history concerning this congregation was 
sought at the parsonage, but there seemed to be no records extant that would 
throw light on the work in Fayette county for the past twenty years, but 
suffice to say that the present organization is sufficient to care for the spiritual 
needs of this people. 

YOUNG men's christian ASSOCIATION. 

The only attempt at forming a Young Men's Christian Association in 
Fayette county was the one at Washington C. H., in 1910, which proved a 
great success from its first year's history. It is steadily growing into a 
wonderful power for furthering the Christian and moral standards in the 
community where it was so wisely and thoughtfully established. The aim 
and objects of this association are now so well and generally understood 
that not e\'en a mention of it need here be made. It may be briefly stated that 
the Young Men's Christian Association stands for all that is noble and good 
and is radically opposed to all that is evil or even questionable. 

To have been the author of some noted book, or to have painted some 
famous picture, or cut in marble some beautiful work of art, has always given 
men a place in history, more lasting than any other memorial. Even so in 
the case of the philanthropic spirit of such men as Andrew Carnegie, the 
great library founder. So is it in the case of the modest, earnest little man 
who suggested and worked hard to effect the organization of a Young Men's 
Christian Association in Washington C. H. Reference is made to J. T. 
Tuttle. still an honored business man of the city, but who at that date was 
superintendent of the city public schools. He it was who caused a mass 
meeting to be held February 22, 19 10, at Grace Methodist Episcopal church. 
It took several plucky attempts to effect sufficient public interest to really 
perfect an organization, but Mr. Tuttle knew no such word as fail, and finally 
won the community over to his suggestion and the beautiful and costly group 
of buildings held by the association now are monument enough for the man 
who first conceived the notion and worked intelligently for the maturing of 
his plans. 

But someone must needs be found possessing financial ability and a spirit 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 243 

of benevolence and true philanthropy sufficient to raise and bequeath to the 
society means with which it might secure a home of its own. Fortunately, 
for the present and future generations of young men in this city, such a 
person was found in Mrs. Morris Sharp-Davies, who was the largest single 
contributor, and in reality the woman who made the enterprise a possibility. 
She esteemed it not only a duty but a pleasure, as well, to be able to aid so 
worthy an institution. So the Sharp Memorial building will ever remain 
a monument to this good woman's offering, to be used and enjoyed with the 
flight of years. Two other persons should not be omitted from the list of 
those who have worked for the upbuilding and maintainance of this institu- 
tion — the careful, painstaking treasurer, George Jackson, who was instru- 
mental in securing the funds with which Stimpson building, of the handsome 
group of modern structures facing Main street, belonging now to this associa- 
tion was built. His name should always be connected with that of Mr. 
Stimpson, of California (formerly of this city), the beneficent donor. Much 
of the present financial standing and future success of the association must be 
credited to William Worthington, whose whole energy is now being expended 
in the work entrusted to his care. 

The statistical record made by the association so far may be briefly sum- 
med up as follows: Date of organization, February 27, 1910; first meet- 
ings held at Grace Methodist Episcopal church; offices maintained in the 
court house for a time. The first meeting was called by J. T. Tuttle. The 
first board of trustees was as follows: Henry Brownell. president; T. H. 
Craig, vice-president ; O. J. Mobley, secretary ; George Jackson, treasurer ; 
A. F. Hopkins, Dr. Carey Persinger and R. C. Peddicord. 

Present officers of association (September, 1914) : President, Henry 
Brownell, who has served ever since the association was organized in 1910; 
vice-president, R. C. Peddicord; A. H. Ballard, secretary; J. M. McClung, 
physical director; treasurer, J. Earl McLean; general secretary, Walter 
Patton. Former secretaries have been Ray F. Zaner, of York, Pennsyl- 
vania, and since August i, 19 14, Walter Patton, of Springfield, Ohio. 

The work of the association is divided into the religious, social, educa- 
tional, physical and boys' departments, with membership fees as follows : 
Juniors (eleven to fifteen years old), four dollars; intermediates (from fifteen 
to eighteen years old), five dollars; seniors (from eighteen and upward), six 
dollars. Sustaining members, ten dollars. 

From June 2 to 12, 19 14, a fund-raising campaign was conducted in 
which twenty-five thousand dollars was pledged and every pledge was good 



244 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

as gold. This was conducted by William Worthington, aided by a hundred 
men and boys. It is believed that there is no other record in the world where 
this amount was raised in so short a time in a city of the size of Washington 
C. H. 

The building dates, etc.. are as follows: The Sharp Memorial Building 
was deeded to the association by Mrs. M. B. Sharp, October lo, 1910. The 
Y. M. C. A. structure, proper, was opened June 15, 191 2. Its architect was 
Frank Packard ; its contractor was Benjamin F. Bolin, Columbus. The cost 
of this building was thirty thousand dollars, with ten thousand dollars addi- 
tional to complete and furnish. The Stimpson building w^as the gift of 
Charles M. Stimpson, of Los Angeles, California; it was built in 1913-14, at 
a cost of seven thousand dollars. The present membership is about four 
hundred and fifty, with steady additions. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST. 



THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE. 

Washington C. H. was one of the first three locaHties in which real 
temperance crusades were inaugurated in this country, and as a result we 
have Woman's Christian Temperance Unions and kindred societies all over 
the United States today. This work was first begun by the ladies in the 
early seventies, and the date of the first meeting with this end in view was 
held here December 24, 1873. ^^ came about in this wise: The Lecture 
Association of Washington C. H. had in its course that season a lecture on 
"Our Girls," by Dr. Dio Lewis, who in his lecture gave out some sug- 
gestions as to how the numerous saloons of the place might be eliminated 
within a week's time. His proposition was accepted and a meeting appointed 
for Christmas morning, at the Presbyterian church, at which a large and 
enthusiastic audience greeted the speaker and wished to know more of his 
plans to do away with the drinking places of the town. For one hour the 
speaker gave logical argument, followed by appeal and demonstration, until 
the audience was ready to endorse his plans. At that meeting was started 
the great American temperance wave that soon swept over the country and 
is still being materially effected by the good seeds there sown. Everyone 
knows something of the "Women's Crusade," but few outside this city know 
of its real origin. Women were selected to visit the saloons and plead with 
the proprietors to desist from selling licjuor further. The men of the town 
were approached and committees appointed to back the scheme with money 
and manly influence. All who took part were "enlisted for the war" — that 
is, until the work had been thoroughly accomplished. William Millikan, Sr.. 
was elected to the office of secretary of the men's committee, which was soon 
filled by volunteers. The men who thus served numbered thirty-seven, while 
the number of ladies who volunteered to go out among the liquor sellers and 
do the work amounted to forty-seven, and a list of these worthy ladies should 
here be preserved in the annals of Fayette county, as a lasting monument to 



246 FAYETTE COUNTY, OEIIO. 

a set of ladies who really started a world-wide reform and builded far beltci 
than they knew. Their names are : Mrs. P. E. Morehouse, Miss M. A. 
Love, Mrs. William Stevens, Mrs. O. Grnbbs, Mrs. J. Vandeman, Mrs. H. 
P. Cherry, Mrs. J. B. Priddy. ^Irs. Allen Heagler, Mrs. M. Blakemore, Mrs. 
A. E. Silcott, Mrs. E. Millikan, Mrs. E. Blakemore, Mrs. William Smith, 
Mrs. P. T. Light, Mrs. H. L. Hadley, Mrs. B. Ogle. Mrs. F. Xitterhouse, 
Mrs. D. McLean, Mrs. Allen Heagler, ^Irs. G. Carpenter, Mrs. M. V. Ustick, 
Mrs. George Dahl. Mrs. M. Gardner, Miss Kate Foster, Mrs. Colonel ^lay- 
nard, Mrs. A. C. Hirst, Airs. Dr. Dennis, Mrs. Dr. Coffman, Miss Bell 
Stnckey, Miss L. Millikan, Miss Emma Wilcox, Miss L'stick, Miss A. E. 
Robinson, Miss Julia Wood, Miss Anna Cherry. Mrs. S. Lydy. Miss Brightie 
Ogle, Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. Farmer, Mrs. H. P. Ustick, Mrs. J. Hopkins, Mrs. 
C. L. Getz, Mrs. T. Gardner, Mrs. William Gordon, Miss A. Kephart. 

Temperance was the all-absorbing theme around the Christmas board 
that year in Washington C. H. It was talked in the house and on the street 
corners by every citizen. It was the theme at the churches at prayer meet- 
ings. At a meeting held at the Methodist church the following appeal was 
framed and submitted by Mrs. M. G. Carpenter. It read as follows : 

APPEAL. 

"Knowing, as you do, the fearful effects of intoxicating liquors, w'e, the 
women of Washington, after earnest prayer and deliberation, have decided 
to appeal to you to desist from this ruinous traffic, that our husbands, 
brothers, and especially our sons, be no longer exposed to this terrible tempta- 
tion, and that we may no longer see them led into those paths which go down 
to sin and bring both body and soul to destruction. We appeal to the better 
instincts of your own hearts in the name of desolated homes, blasted hopes, 
ruined lives, widowed hearts, for the honor of our community, for our 
happiness, for our good name as a town; in the name of God who will judge 
you as well as ourselves; for the sake of your own souls, which are to be 
saved or lost, w-e beg. we implore you. to cleanse yourselves from the heinous 
sin and place yourselves in the ranks of those who strive to elevate and 
ennoble themselves and their fellowmen ; and to this we ask you to pledge 
yourselves.'' 

Armed with this "Appeal," about forty women passed down the center 
aisle of the church, thence to the street wb.ich took them to the various saloons 
and drug stores of the town. There were three drug stores selling licpior and 
eleven (lrirki;-g saloons. As the ladies went forth on an untried, unheard-of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 247 

mission, they naturally went with trembling and some fear and timidity. 
The men of the congregation remained at the church all day in prayer and 
the bells tolled, while the women marched bravely along to do what they 
thought duty. Entering a drug store first, they sang and prayed and then 
read the appeal to the dealer. This no\'el procession caused much excitement 
on the streets. The work was thoroughly done and no den escaped a visit. 
They sought out the back rooms and basements and went with the plea : 
"We pray you to stop this." "We mean you no hurt!" "We beg you to 
desist!" In tears the wives and mothers plead for their cause. 

The live-long day they marched from place to place, not stopping for 
their dinner, till five o'clock, and all this time without accomplishing the ob- 
ject of their mission among the saloons and drug stores. In each case they 
left the place with the words firmly spoken : "We will call again." 

Saturday morning, December 27th, again they went forth after an hour 
of prayer at the church. Every few moments the tolling bell told of an- 
other fervent prayer having just been offered by the men at the church. This 
was the first day for a real contest. The first place called at the doors had 
been locked against them, so the ladies knelt in the snow upon the icy pave- 
ment and plead for divine influence upon the hearts of the saloon keepers, 
and there held their first real prayer meetings on the streets. It has been said 
that God and the angels took notice of that little band of Christian workers 
and heard their pleadings. The result of the day's campaign was reported 
at the mass-meeting in the evening. It was learned that two druggists had 
agreed to never again sell to a person without the written prescription of a 
doctor. The following day — Sabbath — was indeed a red-letter day in the 
churches and there the ladies were braced up to continue the work so well 
commenced. Monday they again set forth to conquer. By this time the 
volunteers had increased to one hundred ladies. That was a memorable day 
in Washington C. H. It was the day when occurred the first real surrender 
ever made by a licjuor dealer of his stock of liquors, of every kind and variety,, 
to the women in answer to prayer and entreaty, and by them poured into- 
the streets. Nearly a thousand men, women and children, witnessed this, 
strange sight — the mingling of beer, wine and whisky, as they filled the gut- 
ters and were drank up by the earth and snow-covered pavements, while the 
bells were loudly ringing, men and boys shouting, and women singing and 
pra}'ing" to God, who had given them the victory. 

The work reached its highest pitch on the fourth day, when visitors were 
in from country and side towns in every direction. Another public surrender. 



248 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and another public destruction of liquors, that of a much larger stock than 
the previous day, amidst more enthusiasm and excitement. 

Friday, January 2, 1874, one week from the beginning, the secretary 
reported at the meeting held at the church that every liquor dealer in the 
town had unconditionally surrendered, some having shipped their liquors 
back to wholesale houses, others pouring them in the gutters, and the drug- 
gists having signed the druggists' pledge. 

At first men had wondered, scoffed and laughed, then criticized, then 
respected and finally yielded. Pledges were generally circulated and within 
a few days more than one thousand persons had put down their names to 
such pledges. Every physician in the place had agreed to not sell to any- 
one without first the doctor had examined his patient and that unless he 
deemed it necessary to administer liquor he would not do so. Real estate 
men and property holders also signed agreeing to not lease buildings for 
saloons 

The Cincinnati Commercial sent a reporter to the place and he gave 
to his paper the next day a long account of the crusade. Among other para- 
graphs is this : *'I reached Washington C. H. at noon, January 20th, and 
seeking a beer garden in the vicinity, found the owner in a state of terrible 
nervousness, as the ladies had spent the forenoon in front of his place. He 
evidently regarded me as a spy, but I made him understand that I was only a 
journalist. The saloon man in broken language, German-American, said, 
'Dem vimens dey set up a shob on me. I got no vitnesses. But you don't 
bin a bitual drunkard, eh? No. you don't look like him: veil come in, come 
in. Vat you want, beer or vine? I dell you dem vin'iins is shust awful. 
Pv shinks dev puild a house right in the street, and stay mit a man all day a 
singin, and oder voolishness. But dey don't git in here once agin, already.' " 

The crusaders kept up their activities in the county and city for many 
weeks. At the men's prayer meeting held in the church ( the stores all being 
closed for the one hour) February 9. 1874, there was a great throng from 
side towns and the rural districts. A messenger came rushing in, stating 
that the German saloon keeper who had been hanging out under advice of 
counsel, and who had been annoyed for two weeks by the 'tabernacle' (the 
rough shack erected on a vacant lot next to his place by the ladies, who 
watched and prayed and sang there day and night), had surrendered his beer 
garden. The ladies who had not been legally enjoined from so doing, 
marched to his place and presented themselves. The proprietor announced : 
^'You gomes so many I guits. T will never sell any more beer or whisky." 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 249 

The ladies then marched back to the church, while the bells rang out merrily 
on the frosty air. 

Wednesday, February nth, at a mass-meeting at the Presbyterian 
church, one Sullivan came in and publicly pledged himself to "quit forever" 
the liquor business. A general rejoicing and thanksgiving followed the sur- 
render of the "last man." 

But saloons again made their appearance. The issue became a political 
one. The state was aroused and the constitutional amendment was all the 
talk for years. By 1880 Washington C. H. had more saloons than ever 
before, but the seed had been sowed and was bound, like Truth crushed to 
the earth, to rise again. The Woman's Christian Temperance Unions sprang 
up everywhere and at this time are still a great power. 

COUNTERFEITING. 

In the early days of Fayette county, when banks were scarce and little 
money was in circulation, much counterfeiting was done, both in coin and 
paper. The Funks, Redmonds and Curry were ringleaders in this outlawry. 
Jake Funk and Curry were experts in passing bad notes. Large quantities of 
this money was brought by these men from Kentucky and circulated here. 
The celebrated Funk fight was a direct result of one of these transactions. 

As illustrative of their deviltry, it is related that on one occasion Jake 
Funk went to Indiana and bought one hundred and fifty head of cattle, paid 
for them mostly in counterfeit money, and ordered them delivered to him at 
a point remote from the road he -had taken. When thev arrived he, with 
several assistants, took charge of them and drove them in a circuitous route 
toward home. In the course of two or three days, as he was proceeding 
■slowly and without further fear, he was suddenly startled by the appearance 
of six horsemen, with drawn revolvers aimed at his breast. Although well 
armed, resistance was both useless and dangerous; therefore, with a bland 
smile, he said, "Gentlemen, I guess I had better surrender." The officer 
showed his authority, upon which Funk asked permission to go forward and 
tell his comrades that he could not accompany them any farther ; but, well 
knowing his desperate character, the sheriff refused and ordered him to re- 
turn immediately with them. 

At this time Funk had a pocket-book filled with counterfeit bank notes 
and also some good money, and, from previous experience, well knowing 
that at his preliminary examination before a justice of the peace an expert 
would be on hand, he tried hard to think of a means of getting rid of the 



250 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

bad notes. He finally hit upon a plan. He conversed freely and gaily with 
his captors, diverting them with anecdotes, and gradually so engrossing their 
attention that they seemed to forget that he was a prisoner. But upon arriv- 
ing in sight of the justice's office and seeing a great crowd collected there, in 

a sudden paroxysm of anger Funk declared that it was a d d shame and 

outrage for an innocent man to be arrested, with no evidence of his guilt, 
and at the same moment flourishing his heavy cattle whip he threw it as far 
ahead of him as possible and with the same motion jerked out his pocket 
book of bogus money and hurled it into the bushes so dexterously that he 
was not perceived. Arriving at the magistrate's, he was searched and all 
his money submitted to the scrutiny of an expert. It was, of course, found 
to be good. The sheriff and justice now vied with each other in making 
reparation for the injury done. The magistrate insisted on keeping him 
over night, to which he finally acceded; but after supper, complaining of 
sickness, he carelessly sauntered toward the spot near which he had thrown 
his pocketbook, found it, returned to his room and slept with it in his pocket 
and next morning rejoined his comrades in safety. 

Their headquarters, for a time at least, were at the house of Curry. 
One Blaylock also figured conspicuously in the counterfeiting of coin. 

From a period extending perhaps from 1806 until 1822 counterfeiting 
was largely carried on by such desperadoes as the Funks, Redmonds and 
William Curry, men who defied all law and boasted that they did pass 
counterfeit money. Many abortive attempts were made to arrest them 
and break up the game. Funk was finally arrested and sent to Kentucky, 
tried and acc|uitted. Brokaw was arrested and sent to the penitentiary in 
1820. Curry was also sent the following year for fifteen years. Curry 
had many friends among the more desperate classes and many threats of 
rescue were made. One Sabbath, just at the close of services, in Blooming- 
burg, a messenger arrived with the intelligence that an attempt was to be 
made to take Curry from the jail. The majority of the congregation rushed 
out of the house and started for Washington C. H. to foil this move. But 
no violent demonstrations were made and they returned. Also when the 
sheriff made preparations to transfer him from the county jail to the peni- 
tentiary at Columbus a desperate effort was made to rescue him.. The night 
before the day fixed upon to transfer him his wife was admitted to the cell 
and in the morning he was found very sick. A physician, Dr. Thomas Mc- 
Gara. was sent for, when it was ascertained that he had taken arsenic ; but 
in his anxiety he took too much and threw it up. It did not prove fatal. It 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 25 1 

was (Ifcitled. h()\ve\'er, to take him to Cokimljus on horseback by way of 
P)loomingbnrg, pass the present sites of Medway and London. The threats 
were made by his friends of forcible rescue and he had been closely guarded 
while in jail. When Sheriff Robison started with him he was escorted by 
a number of brave horsemen. About four miles from Washington C. H. 
near Gillespie's, it became apparent that he could proceed no farther on 
horseback, because of increasing weakness, the effects of arsenic. Hastily 
dispatching Col. James Stewart to his (Stewart's) house for his carriage, 
they halted until its return, when it was determined, instead of taking the 
road past London, to ]nish on straight to Columbus, reaching- there in due 
time without molestation. 

It was learned afterwards that a desperate effort at rescue had been 
planned among Curry's confederates, that his departure from Washington 
C. H. was known as well as the route he was to take and that seventeen 
splendidly comparisoned horses w^ere secreted in a thicket about five miles 
this side of London, while their riders lay concealed in the bushes near the 
road along which Curry was expected to pass. Nothing but the seemingly 
providential sickness of the prisoner and consequent change of plans pre- 
vented a bloody encounter between two parties of brave men. 

THE FUNK FIGHT. 

Jake, the most notorious of the Funk family, in the year 1818 or 1819, 
went to Bath county, Kentucky, accompanied by his brother, Absalom, and 
engaged in passing counterfeit money, which he had manufactured in Fayette 
county. He was detected, arrested, and at his preliminary trial bound over 
to the court of common pleas in the sum of three hundred dollars. Being 
unable to go on his own recognizance, he applied to a friend named Jacob 
Trumbo, who, together with his brother. Andrew Trumbo, agreed to stand 
responsible for his appearance. 

Funk, upon being permitted to depart, returned to Fayette county. 
When the time of his trial drew near Andrew Trumbo paid him a visit, to 
arrange for Frank's appearance. To avoid future trouble Absalom Funk 
and Philip Moore made to Trumbo a promissory note in the sum of three 
hundred dollars, which was intended to secure the latter should the bond be 
declared forfeited. On the day set for the trial Funk was not to be found 
and Trumbo paid the amount of his bond, he being in turn paid the full 
amount by Absalom Funk and Philip Moore. This, it was thought, would 
end the matter. 



252 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Trumbo was dissatisfied with the sudden turn the affair had taken and 
seemed bent on having Jake arrested and tried. He therefore obtained a 
warrant for his arrest and made arrangements for his capture. He engaged 
the services of Aaron Johnson, then sheriff, and together they gave chase 
to Funk several times, but were unsuccessful. While loitering along the 
banks of Deer creek they fomied the acquaintance of one Mills, who was 
captain of a home militia company. He and several other of his men were 
pressed into service and all started for the Funk residence. Jake Funk re- 
sided on land later owned by Michael Cleber, about eight miles north of 
Washington C. H. He was notified, presumably by some friend, of the con- 
templated attack and hastily dispatched a messenger to the members of his 
father's family and others to assist him, to which they, ever eager for the 
fray, promptly responded. 

It was night when the attacking party reached the premises and under 
the cover of darkness they approached the house. Samuel \Vilson, who lived 
near Hay run, knocked at the door and demanded admittance. Jake was 
in the kitchen with his wife, but answered, "I am here,'' and, taking a chair, 
proceeded to the door, swinging the chair in the air, evidently determined 
to sell his life dearh^ Upon opening the door he was met by a volley from 
the attacking party, se^^eral bullets lodging in the chair, but none in Jake. 
The firing was returned by the Funks. Wilson grappled with Jake and was 
shot dead. Trumbo then engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with Jake, but 
friends of the latter separated them and drew him into the house. Jake 
again encountered Trumbo, who had a pistol in his hand, and knocked him 
down, at the same time drawing him inside. Trumbo was senseless. Jake 
was about to cut his throat with a large knife, when Adam cried out, "Spare 
him ! Don't kill him. His father once saved me from being murdered by 
the Indians." This timely interference alone saved his life. 

In the meantime a member of the outside party named Adam Metz, 
fearing that Jake might possibly attempt an escape from the rear of the 
building, took possession of a location from which he might intercept his 
flight if it was attempted. A comrade named Cantrell, who was accompanied 
by a huge dog, seeing Metz in the rear of the house, supposed it was Funk 
escaping and gave chase with the dog. Metz imagined he was being pursued 
by the Funks and took to his heels. He ran to a neighboring cornfield, 
dropping his gun and powder flask in order to make more rapid progress 
and finally stumbled and fell. He was recognized by his pursuers, when 
mutual explanations followed. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 253 

While this was taking place without, the parties within were arranging 
for Jake's departure and escape through the rear door. Trumbo was stretched 
on the floor and feigned being severely wounded. However, while the others 
were assisting Jake, Trumbo suddenly arose and bolted for the door, per- 
ceived by none except Jake's sister Tabitha, a perfect Amazon in strength 
and courage, who pursued him with an uplifted axe and, as he leaped the 
fence, the descending weapon whizzed behind him and buried itself in the 
rail. He and his companions were glad to escape with their lives and Jake 
departed unmolested. Absalom Funk was shot in the shoulder blade and 
painfully, though not dangerously, wounded. 

On the following morning Samuel Myers, who resided in that town- 
ship, was sent for by the Funks. Upon arriving at the house old Adam met 
him with this salutation, "Good morning. Colonel Myers. Peace on earth 
and war in Israel." He was then informed of what had taken place during 
the night and asked for his advice. 

Subsequently Jake was captured by Sheriff Johnson and lodged in a 
cabin on the farm formerly owned by Thomas Green. The cabin was sur- 
rounded by Bill and Calvin Williams and other friends of Funk and the 
sheriff's posse was reinforced by several persons living in the neighborhood. 
Funk's friends demanded his unconditional release, but the sheriff firmly re- 
fused to surrender his prisoner. During the parley Funk was liberated by 
some of his party, unobserved by the officers, mounted on a horse, and once 
more was a free man. He was first discovered by John Harris, who raised 
his gun and fired at the rapidly retreating figure without effect. 

It appears that Sheriff Johnson was determined to deliver Jake Funk to 
the authorities of Bath county, Kentucky. Funk, after his second escape 
from the law, left the neighborhood, and a few weeks afterward the sheriff 
was informed that he could catch his man by going to Miamisburg. He 
selected four men to accompany him and, armed with stout clubs and pistols, 
arrived at his destination in the evening. The landlord of the tavern at 
which Jake was stopping was commanded to quietly escort a special party 
to Funk's room (he had retired for the night), that they might capture him 
without a struggle. 

Funk was fast asleep as they entered and knew nothing of the danger 
which threatened him. Upon entering, the sheriff walked to the bedside of 
the unconscious occupant and struck him across the forehead with a pistol. 
The blow, instead of stupefying the sleeper, awoke him and in a moment he 
bounded out of bed and confronted his assailants. The force of the blow 



2^4- FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

broke the pistol and left Johnson nnarmecl. Avoiding his powerful antago- 
nist, he called upon his comrades to close with Jake. In the struggle which 
followed Funk seized a club in the hands of one of his assailants and, despite 
the heavy blows which were rained upon him, especially by one left-handed 
man, who struck him several times upon the head, came near wresting it 
from his hands, but at this critical moment a lucky stroke laid him prostrate, 
when he was immediately seized and securely bound. The proper authorities 
were advised of his arrest and he was lodged in jail, in which he remained 
upward of two months, owing to the indifference manifested by the Ken- 
tucky officials. Finally he was taken to Kentucky, tried and acquitted. 

Fate had evidently decreed that Jake should die no ordinary death. 
Upon finding himself once more a free man, he removed to the state of 
Illinois with his family and engaged in blacksmithing. Tradition is silent 
as to his actions while in that state, though it is to be believed that he lived 
a peaceable and law^-abiding citizen wdien he was not molested. His death is 
thus described : He had contracted certain debts which were not paid as per 
agreement and his creditors obtained judgment for the amount. An officer 
of the law proceeded to his home and levied on various chattels. Jake made 
no objection until the officer attempted to take charge of his blacksmith tools, 
wdien he ordered him to desist. The officer refused to comply with this 
request and a fight ensued. It appears that Funk soon OA^erpowered the 
officer and, drawing out his knife, was about to stab him. when he was shot, 
either by the officer or some of the bystanders. 

The Funk family were no enemies to whiskey. Old Adam, with some 
of his comrades, being one day at Roebuck's grocery, the first opened in the 
county, about a mile below Funk's house, became merry by drinking. Old 
Adam, wishing to carry a gallon of whiskey home, in vain endeavored to 
procure even a washtub for the purpose. Observing one of Roebuck's pigs 
running around in the yard, he purchased it for a dollar and skinned it whole, 
taking out the bone about two inches from the root of the tail, which served 
as a neck for the bottle. Tying up the other holes that would of necessity 
be in the skin, he poured in the liquor and started for home with his com- 
panions, where they all got drunk from the contents of the hogskin. 

A CRUEL INDIAN. 

Captain John was a Shawnee chief well known to the early settlers of 
the Scioto valley. He was over six feet in height, strong and active, full of 
spirit and fond of frolic. In the late war he joined the American army and 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 255 

was with Logan at the time the latter received his death wound. We extract 
two anecdotes respecting him from the notice by Col. John McDonald. The 
5cene of the first was in Pickaway and the last in this county. 

When Chillicothe was first settled by the whites an Indian named John 
Cushen, a half blood," made his principal home with the McCoy family and 
said it was his intention to live with the white people. He would sometimes 
engage in chopping wood and making rails and worked in the cornfields. He 
was a large, muscular man, good humored and pleasant in his interviews 
with the whites. In the fall season he would leave the white settlement, to' 
take a hunt in the lonely forest. In the autumn of 1779 he went up Darby 
creek to make his annual hunt. There was an Indian trader by the name of 
Fallenash, who traveled the country from one Indian camp to another with 
pack horses, laden with whiskey and other articles. Captain John's hunting 
camp was near Darby creek and John Cushen arrived at this camp while 
Fallenash, the Indian trader, was there with his goods and whiskey. The 
Indians set to for a real drunken frolic. During the night Captain John and 
John Cushen had a quarrel which ended in a fight; they were separated by 
Fallenash and the other Indians, but both were enraged to the highest pitch 
of fury. They made an arrangement to fight the next morning with toma- 
hawks and knives. They stuck a post on the south side of a log, made a 
notch in the log and agreed that when the shadow of the post came into the 
notch, the fight should commence. When the shadow of the post drew near 
the spot they deliberately and in gloomy silence took their stations on the 
log. At length the shadow of the post came into the notch and these two 
desperadoes, thirsting for each other's blood, sprang to their feet and, with 
a tomahawk in right hand and scalping knife in the left, flew at each other 
with the fury of tigers, swinging their tomahawks around their heads and 
yelling in the most terrible manner. Language fails to describe the horrible 
scene. After several passes and some wounds, Captain John's tomahawk 
fell on Cushen's head and left him lifeless on the ground. 

About the year 1800 Captain John, with a party of Indians, went to hunt 
on the waters of what is called the Rattlesnake fork of Paint creek, a branch 
of the Scioto river. After they had been some time at Paint, Captain John 
and his wife had a quarrel and mutually agreed to separate; which of them 
was to leave the camp is not now recollected. After they had divided their 
property, the wife insisted upon keeping the child, a little boy of two or three 
years of age. The wife laid hold of the child and John attempted to wrest 
it from her. At length John's passion was aroused to a fury and he drew 



256 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

his fist back and knocked down his wife, seized the child and, carrying it to a 
log, cut it into two parts and then, throwing one-half to his wife, bade her 
take it, but never again show her face or he would treat her in the same 
manner. 

EARLY CRIMINAL CASES. 

Benjamin Brokaw was the first man sent to the penitentiary from Fay- 
ette county. His crime was the oft-recurring one of those days, counterfeit- 
ing. James Brown, under the aliases of Headley and Hadley, was also con- 
victed. Both men received a three-year sentence. The case of William 
Currv and the attempts to rescue are accounted in the story of counterfeit- 
ing. The jury which tried Curry was made up of the following: Richard 
Todhunter, Peter Eyman, John Coil, Abraham Bush, James Carothers, Otho 
Dowden, Abraham Lambert, Joseph Gibson, William Hill, Hugh McCand- 
less, Joseph Haymaker and William Thompson. Curry took a dose of arsenic 
given him by his wife on the night before his departure for the state's prison, 
l)ut did not die. However, it maimed him for life and his face ever after 
was as white as marble. He was reprieved finally and went West, where he 
disappeared. Margaret Redmond and Jacob Shobe w-ere tried and acquitted 
of the same offense. 

EXECUTION OF WILLIAM G. W . SMITH. 

In the last of October, 1864, a man by the name of John Gray was 
murdered by some unknown person or persons. He resided near Trimble's 
gravel bank, in Concord township, Fayette county, and on the night of the 
murder he was left alone in the house. It was supposed, from the marks 
upon his person, that he was beaten with the poll of an axe. near the door 
of his house, and then dragged off and thrown into the brush. The murder 
was afterward found to have been committed bv John Adams and William 
G. W. Smith, who lived near Petersburg. The latter was a brother-in-law 
of Gray. It appears that an old feud, which was engendered between the 
families when they resided in Virginia, still existed. This, together with 
the sum of money Gray had in his pockets, was the cause of the deed. 

On Saturday evening. October 30, 1864, the murderers left Petersburg, 
ostensibly to attend a meeting of the Knights of the Golden Circle. They 
proceeded to Gray's cabin, twenty miles distant, on horseback, and upon 
nearing the scene cut a huge club from the thicket, with w^hich they felled 
Gray. Adams and Smith were arrested finally and Smith was confined in 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 257 

the jail at Circleville, in Pickaway county, from which bastile he dug his way 
to freedom. Adams was sent to the prison for ten years. Smith was re- 
captured and brought to trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to be 
hanged on November 30, 1866. 

After recei\'ing his sentence and shortly before the execution Smith 
acknowledged the killing to Sheriff Straley. 

A new scafifold was erected in the jail yard. The execution took place 
on Friday, December 14, 1866, and the account following is from the Herald: 

"Although the execution was conducted privately, crowds of people be- 
gan to assemble early in the morning and long before noon the town was 
full, and the jail yard completely surrounded by the curious, anxious to ob- 
tain, if possible, a last look at the prisoner and to see whatever there was to 
be seen. Sheriff Straley had issued a proclamation requesting that the day 
be observed in a quiet, orderly manner, and that no lic|Uor be sold, and Cap- 
tain Henkle with part of his company were called out to act as guards around 
the jail yard and to preserve order during the day. 

"On Thursday night, the last of Smith's life, he slept very little and 
arose early Friday morning, and engaged for a short time in prayer and read- 
ing of the Bible. He dressed himself with a great deal of care and sat down 
to breakfast, eating very little. During the day few visitors were admitted, 
except the prisoner's family and religious advisers, who remained with him 
up until the moment of his execution. At about twelve o'clock his last meal 
was brought to him, but he scarcely touched it and being informed by Sheriff 
Straley that his last hour was near at hand, he expressed his readiness for 
the sacrifice at any time. At ten minutes past one o'clock he entered the en- 
closure around the gallows, accompanied by his spiritual adviser, his counsel, 
Sheriff Straley. and deputy, ascending the platform at the request of the 
sheriff, seated himself in a chair upon the drop. A short prayer was then 
offered by Rev. C. T. Emerson, during which the prisoner was kneeling with 
his face covered. When he arose his face showed no sign of agitation,, 
though during the prayer his face could be seen to tremble as if in some 
emotion. After the prayer the death warrant was read to him by the sheriff,, 
and he was asked if he had anything to say before taking his departure. 
He arose and stepping to the front of the platform, began : 

" 'Gentlemen, I have little to say. It is a solemn occasion and I hope 
I may be the last man who will have to suffer death in this way. But 1 am 
innocent of the murder of Old John Gray, for which I must die. The con- 
fession I have given to mv advisers is strictly true. Death has no terrors for 
(17) 



258 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

me — none whatever. We must all die; it is only a matter of time. I do 
not fear death ; but it is the manner in which it comes and the disgrace it 
leaves upon my family. For fifty years I have lived in rebellion against 
God, but now, thank God, I have a hope in him.' 

'•Smith then took farewell of those upon the platform and if at any 
time there could be detected the least trembling in his voice, it was when he 
parted with Mr. Emerson, who had been with him much of the time during 
his confinement and to whom Smith expressed a wish of meeting in heaven. 
Stepping forward upon the platform he said, 'Gentlemen, adieu to you all,' 
then turning to the sheriff motioned for him to proceed. The noose was 
adjusted and the black cap pulled down over his face. At just twenty-eight 
minutes past one o'clock the drop fell and the prisoner was launched into 
eternity. During about five minutes he continued to struggle and then all was 
quiet. After hanging nineteen minutes the physicians in attendance pro- 
nounced that life was extinct, but the body was not taken down until it had 
hung nearly twenty-five minutes. It was then placed in a common varnished 
coffin and given into the care of his family." 

STOCK SALES. 

For some years the monthly sales at London, Madison county, attracted 
the attention of stock dealers for many miles around and stock was taken 
thither from all the surrounding counties. Early perceiving the advantages 
arising out of this enterprise to London and Madison county the leading 
citizens of Washington C. H. and Fayette county determined to organize k 
•similar enterprise here, so that stock could exchange hands without being 
driven out of the county. About the year 1871 James Pursell and Thomas 
Kirk determined upon a plan of operations, selected referees, in case ot 
dispute, circulated bills, appointed the last Tuesday in the month, one week 
preceding the London sales, as the day upon which the stock was to be sold ; 
■so that in case of failure to secure satisfactory bargains, the owners could 
drive them on to London. Jack Bridgeman of London was the first crier. Mr. 
Collins of Washington also being present; but Bridgeman and Douglas, of 
Mt. Sterling, were secured for the purpose of giving notoriety to the sales. 
Correspondence was at once opened with prominent stock dealers in nearby 
counties, which, in time, extended to the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, 
and Missouri and cattle were shipped from all of these states to the town of 
Washington C. H., to be sold. These cattle were placed in the hands of 
an auctioneer, with the minimum price fixed, divided into bunches of uniform 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 259 

weight and quality, in nnmbers ranging from twenty to one hundred, or in 
convenient carloads. No by-bidding was allowed ; everything was carried on 
in an honorable manner and the sales from the beginning were a decided 
success. Among the principal auctioneers of the beginning days were : 
William White and Ramsey Brothers of Fayette; John Darlington, Adams 
county; Joseph Rothrock, William Dryden, Davis Connahaugh, of Highland 
county; Anderson of Kentucky; Gray of Kentucky; S. H. Ford of Cincinnati; 
Pond of Clinton county; and many others. 

HORSE TRADING, 

Connected with, and grow-ing out of, the original cattle sales, was the 
trade in horses, which, beginning with a few local transactions, gradually ex- 
panding into immense sales and shipments, of numbers ranging upward into 
the hundreds. An amusing feature of the horse department was "trade 
alley,"' generally located on some unfrequented alley or street, where all 
kinds of horses, except good ones, were congregated for barter. The trade 
language of these occasions was peculiarly adapted to the objects of exchange. 
Many amusing incidents were related in regard to the swaps and dilapidated 
animals which were offered for barter. 

CAPTURE OF ANDREW ELLISON. 

One morning in the spring of the year a thrilling incident occurred at 
the small station of Manchester. It proves that, although this part of Ohio 
was free from hostile Indians, their depredations were by no means unknown. 

One morning Andrew^ Ellison went out from the fort to throw some 
logs together in his little clearing, which he had been burning. When he had 
about finished and the heaps began to blaze, he observed, wdiile passing from 
one to the other, three men approaching him. Supposing them to be some of 
his neighbors, he paid no attention to them, although, said he. "they were 
dark skinned fellows and I thought they were the Wades, who w-ere dark 
skinned, going out early to hunt." He continued his w^ork until one of them 
seized him by the arms and said in broken English, "How do, how do, 
broder." Ellison immediately whirled and faced them. To his horror he 
found himself in the clutches of three stalwart Indians. Resistance was 
both useless and dangerous. He therefore quietly submitted to his fate. 
They hurriedly moved off with him in the direction of Paint creek. In the 
meantime his breakfast was ready at his cabin and the wife sent one of the 



20O r-AYlHTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

children to summon hnn. The httle fellow searched for his father, but came 
back without finding him. Supposing he had gone out to kill a deer, no 
immediate alarm was caused by his absence. Dinner time arrived and his 
wife became anxious. His rifle was found hanging in its accustomed place. 
The alarm increasing, a search was instituted, and the tracks of four men, 
one of whom wore shoes, was found leading away from the station and then 
the awful truth burst upon the poor wife and mother that her husband was a 
prisoner in the hands of the savages. It was nearly night when this discovery 
was made and the searching party returned to the station. Early the next 
morning Massie and his party started in pursuit, which, owing to the scarcity 
of vegetation, and the precaution of the savages to keep on high, hard land, 
where their feet would leave little or no impression, was slow and laborious. 
But Massie and his men were as unerring as well-trained bloodhounds and 
followed the trail to Paint creek, when, finding" the Indians gaining upon 
them so rapidly that further pursuit was useless, they returned to the station. 
The Indians took their prisoner directly to Upper Sandusky, evidently passing 
through the territory of Fayette county, where he was compelled to run the 
gauntlet and being large and clumsy he received a severe flogging as he passed 
through the lines. After this he was taken to Lower Sandusky, where he 
again ran the gauntlet ; then to Detroit, where he was generously ransomed 
by a British officer, who sent him to Montreal, whence he came home during 
the summer of the same year. 

A HOT RACE. 

In 1/95 occurred an incident in which Captain John, a Shawano chief, 
afterward a resident of this county, took part. John and Asahel Edgington 
and another man started towards Brush creek on a hunting expedition. They 
had good success and made a good bag. They hung their catch out of reach 
of wolves and returned for pack horses to take them in. Being in the winter 
and not fearing danger from the Indians they returned alone to the old hunt- 
ing camp, alighted from their horses and were preparing to strike a fire when 
they were fired upon by a party of savages ambushed not twenty yards away. 
Asahel fell dead, but "John escaped. \\' ith horrid yells the Indians sprang 
from their places of concealment, the frightened horses broke loose and ran 
towards home and John Edgington was alone on foot. With the activity 
of a buck he bounded ofl^. with a band of howling redskins at his heels to urge 
him forward. So close indeed was the contest that the yielding grass scarce 
resumed its shape before the Indians foot pressed it down again. The up 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 261 

lifted tomahawk seemed so near his head he thought he felt its edge. The 
hard breathing of his pursuers sounded in his ears, stimulated him to ahiiost 
superhuman exertions. The race was long and doubtful ; every effort to cap- 
ture and escape was made, but at last Edgington began to gain ground and 
after a long race he distanced them, made his escape and reached his home 
in safety. Captain John, who headed the Indians on this occasion and who, 
after peace was made, hunted in this county, was often heard to say that the 
white man "was smart fellow; he run and I run, and he run and run. At 
last white man run clear off from me." 

THE BIG RIOT OF 1894. 

While crimes have been committed in every county and in every state in 
our Union, it is not considered appropriate to magnify or dwell at length on 
such incidents in the compilation of a county history; yet it may be admiss- 
able to insert in this chapter the clear facts concerning a riot which was 
caused here in ,1894 by reason of an unmentionable crime that was committed 
that year. The crime was committed on the person of a woman residing 
near Parrett's Station, this county, on October 10, 1894. The brute com- 
mitting such crime was a colored man named Jasper Dolby. He escaped, 
but was soon captured at Delaware, and brought to Washington C. H. by 
the deputy sheriff, James F. Cook, Jr. The woman victim was brought to 
the waiting room of the sheriff's residence and there she identified her das- 
tardly assailant. By ten o'clock a large crowd had gathered about the court 
house square and jail, but little disturbance was made at first. At ten-thirty 
in the morning. Company E of the Ohio National Guard under command 
of Captain Vincent, was ordered out and filed from the armory to the county 
jail. Vincent ordered the crowd to disperse and many obeyed him; some, 
however, did not go. Upon retiring, many made dire threats upon the 
prisoner. In some manner a bunch of fire-crackers was fired off and, the 
sound being misunderstood by the crowd, much excitement prevailed for a 
time. 

William McKinley was then governor of Ohio, and he was wired to send 
a company of troops down at once, they arriving late in the night. The two 
companies were then under command of Colonel Coit. A special grand jury 
had been empaneled and an indictment secured against Dolby, the colored 
prisoner. Shortly after four o'clock in the afternoon he was arraigned be- 
fore Judge H. B. Maynard, who. after his having plead guilty, sentenced him 
to twenty years in the Ohio penitentiary. 



262 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

On the way to the court house, a large number of the woman's friends 
and neighbors assembled together, standing" near the court house steps, on 
the lawn. Two lines of soldiers were formed, reaching from the jail to the 
court house, to guard the prisoner. The crowd surged against the lines in 
order to seize the negro. The soldiers charged several times with fixed 
bayonets and a number of persons were injured, among the number being 
Henry Kirk, a brother-in-law\ and Elmer T. Boyd, a son of the woman who 
had been assaulted. Just as Dolby ascended the court house steps, the angry, 
excited crowd made a grab for the prisoner. The soldiers used the butt of 
their guns to ward them off, and also their sword hilts, striking right and left 
with great violence. Mr. Boyd was knocked off the steps to the ground and 
Kirk had his nose fractured. The negro was finally dragged inside the court 
house and Colonel Coit plead wnth the mob to desist and leave, but they 
stoutly demanded the release to them of Dolby. 

That evening the sheriff telegraphed to Adjutant-General Howe for 
more troops, and they were at once started this way and arrived. The court 
house was garrisoned with troops, all doors being closed except the north 
entrance. Late that day the crowd assembled again at the building, in in- 
creased numbers, and finally they attacked the door. The soldiers notified 
them that they would be shot unless they kept from breaking in the door. A 
moment later they made a rush and broke in the door, whereupon the officers 
ordered the soldiers to fire upon them. The result was that most of the 
crowd ran, but as a result of the firing there were five killed and about twenty 
wounded, some badly and others slightly. Among the killed were Smith 
Welsh, aged eighteen years ; Jesse Judy, aged twenty-five years ; Mark John- 
son and William Sams. Additional troops were ordered up and the crowd 
dispersed. The First Regiment, from Cincinnati, and the First Ohio Battery 
were brought to the scene. Thev came early in the evening on a special train 
and took possession, and soon the prisoner was hurried away to Columbus. 

An inquest w^as held by Coroner James M. Edwards. Colonel Coit was 
indicted for manslaughter and tried at Circleville. After a wearysome case 
of several weeks, and with the jury out five days, they finally found a verdict 
of "Not guilty as charged." 

UNIQUE DESTRUCTION OF A MILL DAM. 

The old mill dam across Paint creek, in Washington C. H., came to a 
funny end, and the story is told in substance by a former resident, Charles 
A. Palmer, later of Indianapolis. We take the facts from his longer narra- 
tion of the laughable but well-ending story. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 263 

Paint creek, at Washington C. H., is not a running stream at all seasons 
of the year, and the effect of the old pioneer mill dam was to at certain times 
submerge the dam, which caused much stinking, stagnant water to remain 
standing" for many months. This, of course, would cause malaria and other 
dangerous diseases in the immediate neighborhood. Sickness very frequently 
prevailed as a result. The property was owned by that most excellent citizen, 
Mr. Millikan, who was often remonstrated with over the matter, but all to 
no practical purpose, seemingly. So serious became the condition, from a 
sanitary standpoint, that indignation meetings were held by the citizens, and 
finally the people resolved that unless the water was let out by a certain time 
specified the people would take the matter into their own hands and cut the 
dam away. 

The neighbors along the Jamestown and Palmer road were too far away 
to be affected by the stagnant water, and they looked upon this move as con- 
flicting with their rights, personally, hence they volunteered to aid Millikan 
in keeping anyone from destroying his dam. The appointed day came and 
the citizens of Washington C. H. went forth armed with shovel and spade, 
to destroy the said dam over Paint creek. Reverend Livingston, a Presby- 
terian jninister. headed the procession. In stature, he was six feet and four 
inches tall and very strong, especially in his arms. He was well built physic- 
ally. He appeared only, as he claimed, as a peace-maker between the warring 
factions. He wanted all settled right and desired the dam matter adjusted 
without violence. In fact, he suggested that the dam be removed to a higher 
point up the stream. When the procession reached the dam, they found 
opposing forces organized under leadership of Charles White, a son-in-law 
of Mr. Millikan, the owner of the dam. While the parley was going on, 
someone (a hasty St. Peter) stuck his spade in the dam and threw a shovelful 
of earth from the dam over into the stream, whereupon Mr. White picked up 
his ax and raised it, intending to strike down the digger. Just at that junc- 
ture the good man of God (Reverend Livingston), the peace-maker, who was 
standing near White, said, ''What, what, what, Charley, would you strike him 
with your ax ?" At the same moment he seized Charley by each arm above 
his elbows, raised him above the ground and then threw him over into the 
water. This act disconcerted the defenders of the dam, and within a few 
minutes the dam was cut, the mill-pond drained and the malaria was relieved. 

Mr. Millikan — a just and good man — instead of trying to repair the 
dam, went further up stream and constructed a new dam, which materially 
lessened sickness in the town. Many who had helped cut the opening in the 



264 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

old dam were present to assist him in l)nilding his new dam. This was a 
funny incident of pioneer days and ended as it should. 

IMMENSE PETRIFIED MAPLE LOG. 

In Wayne township, this county, near the county line of Ross and Fay- 
ette counties, and in the famous Herold's Valley country, in 1911 there was 
discovered by Orris Hegler and a Mr. Himiller, on the farm owned by Ella 
Steward, near the bank of the creek, a nine-foot maple log which had been 
turned to flinty stone by the process of petrification. Scientists do not agree, 
but it is generally thought that it is not less than a hundred thousand years 
old, and possibly may be even a million years old ; however, this is all mere 
scientific conjecture. The grain is clearly defined and without much doubt 
the original tree belonged to the maple species of wood. This part of Fay- 
ette county, as well as adjoining territory in Ross county, is a wonderful field 
for such strange, ancient speciments of rock formations and petrifications. 
Also for rare specimens of Mound Builders and pre-historic race relics. 

THE FIRST MURDER CASE. 

The first murder case in Fayette county was that of a mail carrier who 
was robbed of the mail and killed at "Big Spring," two miles northwest of 
Washington C. H. 

FIRST AND ONLY EXECUTION. 

The only person ever executed in Fayette county was G. W. Smith in 1867, 
for the murder of John Gray. He was hung in the jail yard. 

FIRST MARRIAGES. 

During the first year of the county's organization the following mar- 
riages took place: On June 6, 1810, Henry Ellis and Charity Harper, by 
Thomas W. Swinney. 

July 17, 1810, in Union township, Justice of the Peace Henry Thurman 
married David Hays and Theodocia Wolf. 

November 23, 1810, Joel Wood married William Hurleg and Lucy Kin- 
dle. 

December 15, 1810, Ed Farrell married Mary Wright. 

December 26, 18 10, Henry Fleshier and Susanna Pope joy were married 
by Justice of the Peace Joseph Kur. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 265 

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF COUNTY. 

On August I. 1910, commenced the celebration of the organization of 
Fayette county — its one hundredth anniversary. It lasted four days and was 
attended by many thousands of people, many coming from outside of this 
county. Fully fifteen hundred former citizens came back to the homecomers' 
reunion. It was really a big affair. At Grace Methodist Episcopal church 
appropriate services were held. The building was handsomely decorated, 
including eight hundred pond lilies, the donation of Col. B. H. Millikan, of 
Cedar Point. An appropriate sermon was preached and fine music rendered 
in keeping with "home-coming." 

On ]\Ionday forenoon, at ten-thirty o'clock, commenced the great parade 
on the streets of Washington C. H. "Home, Sweet Home" was sung by the 
assembled multitude, and it never sounded more appropriate than upon this 
occasion. At the head of the long procession was a covered wagon — a genu- 
ine emigrant outfit — with a real hundred-year-old tar bucket dangling from 
the reach of the wagon. The occupants of this emigrant wagon were "Silas 
and Samantha Whizzlebottom," with their family of ten children all huddled 
beneath the cover of the wagon, a type of an outfit frequently seen in the 
long-ago decades. The outfit was drawn by two oxen, one black and one 
white, the same being owned in New Holland, this county. Next in line were 
many carriages, conveying the old "Forty-niners," w^ho crossed the western 
plains in 1849 to seek the newly discovered gold fields of California. Follow- 
ing these carriages was Fred Mark, w^ith ten children, in one automobile, 
showing the three stages of transportation by vehicles used in such three 
periods of our history — the covered ox-wagon, the carriages of a few years 
ago, and the up-to-date automobiles of the twentieth century. In front of 
the court house was built a large band stand, from which music was fre- 
quently discoursed. At one-thirty in the afternoon came the pretty pony 
parade. This consisted of twenty-one beautifully designed rigs, driven by the 
little folks. 

Great and eloquent speeches were made by prominent Ohio men, and 
from former Buckeyes who then resided in distant cities and states. Among 
the number who spoke may be recalled now Hon. John J. Lentz, of Columbus; 
H. B. Maynard, Hon. Charles A. Reid, Hon. H. M. Daugherty. Dr. R. M. 
Hughey, Judge Joseph Hidy, Humphrey Jones and several more, several of 
whom spoke more than an hour, and all to the edification of the assembly. 

The fifteen hundred "home-comers" were all required to register their 



266 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

names and present address, etc. It was an occasion long to be remembered 
by those present. 

INTOXICATED HOGS. 

A funny incident occurred on a farm east of Washington C. H. not 
many 3-ears ago. A farmer had placed a half bushel of wheat in a cider 
barrel to keep the cider sweet. After the barrel had been emptied of the 
cider he dumped the soaked wheat out to his hogs. They seemed to enjoy it 
very much and ate it all up quickly. But soon thereafter the fermented 
grain got in its usual work — even on the swine — and they all became glor- 
iously drunk. They were on a genuine spree for more than a day. Some 
of the herd stretched out in the sun and seemed to be enjoying the real 
"drunk." They doubtless had dreams of corn and plenty and of fine days 
yet to come in their experience. Others of the herd became hilarious and 
cut all sorts of antics. They were so happy themselves that they seemed to 
want all their near-by comrades to join in the frolic, too. It was some time 
before the farmer realized wlw the swine acted so strangely. He finally dis- 
covered the fact that they had eaten the fermented wheat and had become 
really drunk on hard cider. After a day and a night (as usual) the swine 
were on their feet and ready to feed the usual way, barring a swelled head 
and blood-shot eyes ! 

AN ODD OLD RECORD. 

In the county auditor's office of Fayette county may be seen a curious 
record, ordered made by the then commissioners of Fayette county, the date 
of which was 1836. The record shows that there were then but three attor- 
neys in the county and five physicians, each of whom had to pay a tax of 
three dollars for practicing their chosen professions. The entry in the county 
record reads thus : 

"This day the honorable board of commissioners examined a list of 
practicing lawyers and physicians as returned by the county auditor of Fay- 
ette county for 1836, and it w^as ordered that the auditor of Fayette county 
enter the list as aforesaid and the tax duplicates for the year 1836 with the 
following sums to their several names, to-wit, a list of practicing lawyers and 
physicians. 

(Signed) "George Mantle, 

"James Kirkpatrick, 
"Samuel Sollars, 
" County Commissioners." 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 26/ 

The list of "professionals" was as follows : Wade Loofborrow, Robert 
Robinson, Samuel Kerr, lawyers ; Benjamin Henton, Elijah Crosby, Eleozar 
Nartin, Joseph L. Bohrer, physicians. 

GARFIELD MEMORIAL SERVICES. 

The memorial services held over the death of President James A. Gar- 
field, in September, 1881, were largely attended in Washington C. H. and at 
various villages within Fayette count}'. At the county seat the Methodist 
church was packed to overflowing and hundreds were unable to gain an en- 
trance. The city w^as heavily and universally draped in befitting mourning. 
No such day had ever been witnessed in the county. All soldiers, all civic 
societies, and a great throng of civilians marched through the streets, with 
bowed heads and heavy hearts. A great man, an honored son of Ohio, had 
been cut down in the prime of his noble manhood. He had withstood the 
shot and shell on many a battlefield in Civil-war days, but at last was struck 
down in days of peace by an assassin's bullet, on July 2, 1881, lingering in 
great pain and suffering until relieved by the death angel. Rev. J. C. Irwin, 
of the Christian church, had charge of the services and spoke very feelingly 
of the dead President and General. Other speeches were made by Mills 
Gardner, J. B. Koontz, Hon. M. J. Williams and Prof. C. F. Dean. 

At Bloomingburg and Jeft"ersonville like services were held and orations 
delivered on the life and character of the late President, after which appro- 
priate resolutions were passed. 

m'kINLEY MEMORIAL SERVICES. 

At the time of the assassination of the late lamented William McKinley 
the people, regardless of political parties, greatly mourned his tragic death, 
at Buffalo, New York, September 14, 1901. Preliminary memorial exercises 
were held in the various churches of the county on the Sunday following the 
death of the good President. At Grace Methodist Episcopal church it was 
communion day, and after that ceremony was over under charge of the then 
presiding elder. Rev. Murdock, Rev. Norcross, pastor, spoke very touchingly 
of the departed statesman. Miss Edith Gardner sang the last words of the 
President, "Nearer, My God, to Thee,'' with a pathos in each line that moist- 
ened every eye in the large audience present. 

At the Presbyterian church a memorial sermon was preached by Dr. 
McNair, from the text, 'T am the way, the truth and the life." The choir 



268 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

sweetly sang Mr. McKinley's favorite song, "Lead, Kindly Light." Also 
was sung "Sometime We'll Laiderstand," and other appropriate selections. 
At the evening service at the same church, Dr. McNair read the tribute paid 
Mr. McKinley by United States Senator Thurston. It came with much 
force, as the two were intimately associated in their high offices at Washing- 
ton. "Crossing the Bar" was rendered by the church choir with great effect. 

The same day appropriate services were held in various churches 
throughout this county, including those held at Jeffersonville Methodist 
church. 

The regular memorial services were held at Grace Methodist Episcopal 
church on the following Thursday, when the house did not begin to hold the 
throng who there assembled. It was a union service and the citizens one and 
all turned out, as never before in Washington C. H. The day was the saddest 
since the assassination of Lincoln in 1864. The expression of grief was 
manifest in emblematic form by the heavily draped LTnited States colors, as 
well as the drapings throughout the spacious church building. The pipe organ 
was also screened in by black drapery. On one side was a life-sized picture 
of Mr. McKinley. Judge Maynard presided as chairman. Rev. Honeywell, 
of the Christian church, read the Scriptures and Doctor McNair, of the 
Presbyterian pulpit, offered a fervent prayer. Hon. Mills Gardner made a 
ver}^ eloquent oration. His personal experiences with Mr. McKinley in Con- 
gress made his speech one of unusual effect upon the audience. Miss Edith 
Gardner sang, as but few could, that splendid hymn (favorite of McKinley's), 
"Lead, Kindly Light." Doctor Norcross delivered an address also. He paid 
a splendid tribute to that matchless American citizen, then cold in death. A 
copy of the resolutions passed on that sad occasion were published and sent 
to Canton to Mrs. McKinley. After the final singing of "America" by the 
entire audience, the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Carter, of the 
African Methodist Episcopal church. 

POPULATION OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 

This county was created January 19, 1810 — one hundred and four years 
ago — and its population at various periods has been as follows, the same 
being taken from United States official reports : 

In 1810 it had 1.854 inhabitants; in 1820 at had 6,336; in 1830 it had 
8,182; in 1840 it was 10,979; i^ 1850 it had increased to 12,726; in i860 
it was 20,364; in 1870 it reached 17,170; in 1880 it was 20,364; in 1890 it 
was 22,309; in 1900 it was 21,726, having fallen off in the decade just 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 269 

previous and in the last federal census the figures are 21,744, only thirty-nine 
increase over that of 1900. 

The subjoined table shows the date of the creation of the ten ci\-il town- 
ships in Fayette count}-, together with their population for the last seventy 
years, given in decades : 

Townships. Created. 1840 1880 1890 1900 1910 

Concord 1818 1,074 908 yy:, 733 713 

Green i8ro 1,616 916 746 701 694 

Jasper 1845 2,072 1,982 1,770 1,590 

Jefiferson 1810 1,948 2,925 3,092 3,029 2,718 

Madison 1810 765 1,405 1,429 1,317 1,233 

Marion 1840 879 971 1,009 93- 949 

Paint 1810 1,212 2,045 -'3-5 2,291 2,079 

Perry 1845 i'320 1,102 1,037 93° 

Union 1810 1,945 6,175 8,283 8,368 9,425 

Wayne 1810 1,540 1,627 1,606 1,547 1,436 

In 1910 there were 6,158 white voters and 383 colored or negro voters in 
the county. The colored population in 19 10 amounted to 1,231. 

The population is largely American by birth, there only being one hun- 
dred and thirty-eight persons born in foreign lands, and these were as fol- 
lows : Canadian French, i ; English Canadians, 6 ; Denmark, i ; England, 
21 ; France, 2; Germany, 48; Ireland, 48; Greece, i ; Holland, i ; Scotland, 4; 
Switzerland, i ; Turkey, 3; Wales, i. 

POPULATION IN INCORPORATED CITIES AND VILLAGES, I9IO. 

Washington C. H., 7,277; Bloomingburg, 610: Jeffersonville, 716; 
Milledgeville, 187: New Holland, 804; Octa. 91. 

Total number of dwellings in the county 5.'369 

Total number of families in the county 5,466 

Total number of dwellings in Washington C. H. __ 1,855 
Total number of families in Washington C. H. 1,932 

POPULATION OF UNINCORPORATED VILLAGES. 

Allentown, in Jefferson township Not given 

Cook, in Madison township 68 

Edgefield, in Jasper township 46 



2^0 FAYIiTTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Good Hope, in Wayne township 250 

McLean, in Wayne township 51 

Madison Mills, in Madison township 136 

Pancoastburg in Perry township (known as Waterloo) 249 

Parrott, in Jefferson township 50 

Sheldon, in Jasper township 96 

Staunton, in Concord township Less than 100 

New Martinsburg, in Perry township 250 

Lutterell, in Jasper township 30 

Yatesville, in Paint township 27 

Pearson, in Jasper township 38 

Moons (Buena Vista), in Green township 200 

Walton, in Perry township 60 

Glenden, in Jasper township 25 

GREAT FLOOD OF MARCH, I913. 

In 191 3 occurred one of the worst floods ever seen in the county. It 
was a part of the great series of floods w^hich devastated Dayton, Columbus 
and Indianapolis, the beginning being the cyclone storm originating near 
Omaha, Nebraska, where so many lives were sacrificed. The flood of 1886 
was counted a record-breaker at that time. That was when Paint creek, one 
sunny afternoon, took a sudden rise and soon became a whirling flood. That 
was caused by a water-spout in north Fayette county, which came down the 
creek, making a regular sea of water from fifteen to twenty feet deep. It 
started at one-thirty o'clock in the afternoon and passed its crest by midnight. 
During these few hours it washed away bridges, railroad tracks and covered 
and threatened the city itself with dire calamity. Fortunately no lives were 
lost. 

x'\s to the flood of March, 191 3, it will ever be referred to as one of the 
truly great storms of this portion of Ohio. On Monday evening, March 24th, 
a genuine "twister" cyclone struck the extreme northern part of this county, 
between four and five o'clock, laying waste a pathway about one hundred 
yards in width. The clouds dipped down and the wind struck the earth with 
awful violence four miles north of Jeffersonville, and for a considerable 
distance wrecked all the farms, fences, buildings, etc. ; also uprooted huge 
forest trees and did an immense amount of damage. Dr. H. H. Little, who 
was on the highway driving, had his horse and buggy picked up and hurled 
into a deep ditch, but fortunately he was not killed, though somewhat bruised. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 2/1 

The devastation along Paint creek, in the vicinity of Washington C. H., 
was something fearful. The stream overflowed its hanks and levees were 
swept away, taking all in its mad onward rush. Reaching up the creek, it 
touched the lower part of the concrete bridge, near the Baltimore & Ohio 
railroad ; also submerged the territory by the shoe factory, flowing over the 
floors of that plant to a depth of two feet. It caught the Willis lumber 
yards and floated much valuable material off. It destroyed the roadbed of 
the Detroit, Toledo & fronton railroad for over two hundred yards. It 
threatened and severely taxed e^■ery bridge in the city, overflowing West 
Court, South Main, South Fayette, South Dayton, North Dayton and Syca- 
more, so the bridges could not be crossed by footmen. The large stock-sale 
barns were flooded, but the animals had all been released from danger. 
Wednesday morning there was four feet of water running through this im- 
mense structure. Along the Pennsylvania tracks, east of Sycamore street, 
several hundred feet of track was washed away. The Chicago, Hamilton & 
Dayton railroad also suffered in the vicinity of the gas works plant. At Good 
Hope and near-by vicinity the creek was never seen higher. 

\Vhile this was all transpiring here in ^^'ashington C. H. and Fayette 
county, the entire country was suffering even greater losses, such as those at 
Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis and Omaha, Nebraska, in which great cities 
there were thousands upon thousands drowned and unnumbered millions of 
dollars worth of property swept away and forever lost to the owners. The 
people of this county gave liberally to all the various relief funds raised by 
popular subscription throughout the flooded districts of Ohio and Indiana. 
The churches and Young Men's Christian Association at Washington C. H. 
were all alive to this good work, and the Ohio National Guard was repre- 
sented by one hundred and fifty men under command of Maj. Rell G. Allen, 
of Company M. They were at Dayton through that never-to-be-forgotten 
flood season and succeeded in saving hundreds from a watery grave. They 
proved the bravest of the brave. Five hundred dollars was sent from Fayette 
county to flood sufferers upon the first call for aid. Thousands of people did 
willingly all they were able to. 

PORTRAIT OF m'kINLEY BY LOCAL ARTIST. 

The first three-quarter view portrait of William McKinley ever made 
was executed by an old Washington C. H. boy, Heber L. Jones, a son-in-law 
of Gib Paul, who thereby received considerable notoriety, particularly after 
the death of Mr. McKinley. It was in 1891, when Mr. McKinley was a 



272 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

candidate for Ohio's governorship, and when he visited Washington C. H., 
that he found that voung Jones had been distributing broadcast a lot of pie- 
pans with his picture attached to their center. This very much pleased him 
and he was only too glad to accept an invitation to sit for a three-quarter 
view picture in the gallery where Jones was then doing work. Mr. Jones 
lived many years at Greenfield. Ohio. 

AUTOMOBILES IN COUNTY. 

The automobile has become very popular in Fayette county, as it is seen 
by the assessor's report for February i, 1914. There were at that date in 
Favette county four hundred and thirty automobiles ; thirty motorcycles and 
eight motor freight trucks. Since then there have been many more sold 
within the county, this having been an unusually large sale year for this class 
of goods in the county. In 1902 there were none of these modern conven- 
iences in this county, as that was about the first year they were placed in the 
markets of the world. The number in 191 1 was only one hundred and fifteen. 

BLIND PENSIONERS. 

The blind relief commission for Fayette county had on its pension rolls, 
in 19 1 3, forty-four blind persons. There was paid out to them that year the 
sum of three thousand eight hundred and eighty- four dollars, equal to about 
seventy-seven dollars each. There are other blind people in Fayette county, 
but the law requires the sons of blind persons, if they have sons, to pay the 
expense, so there were possibly sixty blind persons in this county when that 
report was issued. 

MARKET QUOTATIONS. 

The following have been the market quotations in Fayette county at 
various dates : 

1852 — Flour, $3.25: wheat, 62 cents; corn, 26 cents; oats, 23 cents; 
clover seed, $4.50 per bushel; rice, 6 cents per pound; hams, 11 cents; 
molasses, 34 cents; candles, 19 cents per pound; sugar, 5 and 6 cents; cheese, 
6 cents; coffee, 9 cents; pig iron, $24 per ton; whiskey, 18^ cents per gallon 
(no United States duty on it then). 

The following were market quotations at Washington C. H. in the month 
of January, 1861, three months before the opening of the Civil War : 

Wheat, 80 cents; oats, 18 cents; corn, 20 cents; flax seed, 90 cents; 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 2/3 

timothy, $2.00; flour, $2.50 per hundred weight; New Orleans sugar. Syi 
cents; sugar house molasses, 50 cents; coffee, 16 cents; butter, 12 cents; eggs, 
6 cents; potatoes. 25 cents; bacon, 9 cents; beans, $1.25; salt per barrel, 
$2.00; cattle, $1.75 to $3.60; hogs, $4.50 and scarce. 

Near the close of the war, or in October, 1864, the paper files give the 
local Fayette county markets as follows: Wheat, $1.60; flour, $5.00; corn, 
$1.00; New Orleans sugar, ^^ cents; coft'ee, 75 cents; lard, 22 cents; butter, 
S3 cents; potatoes, $1.25; beans, $1.80; salt, $4.50; bacon, 22 cents. 

The prices in October, 19 14, while the great European war was raging, 
were as follows in Washington C. H. : Hogs, per hundred weight, $9.00 ; 
cattle, $9.75 to $11.00; butter, 27 cents; eggs, 30 cents; potatoes, 65 cents; 
sugar, 6 to 7 cents per pound; coffee, 15 to 35 cents; tea, 40 to 80 cents; salt, 
per barrel, $1.40; nails, per pound, 2^ to three cents; barbed, wire, $2.75 per 
hundred pound rolls; flour, $1.50 to $2.00 per hundred; bleached muslin, per 
yard, 9 to 15 cents. 

The January file of the Ohio Register, published in this county, in 1913 
appeared the following : "Speaking of old-time markets and wages, reminds 
us that things have all changed — at least in most things. Common labor 
today is paid from $1.75 "to $2.25 per day; extra good men get as high as 
$2.50 a day. Skilled labor is in great demand and men of this class receive 
from $3.50 to $6.00 per day. Good horses bring, today, from $150 to $300 
each and horses to match up for fancy teams bring as high as $500. Good 
farm horses run from $200 to $300." 



(18) 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

REMINISCENCES AND MEMOIRS OF DEPARTED PIONEERS AND LATER SETTLERS. 



OLD UNCLE BILLY SNIDER. 

Everyone of any considerable age in Fayette county will readily recall 
the title "Uncle Billy Snider." He was born in Redstone, Pennsylvania, in 
1805. His parents removed to Ross county, Ohio, in 1805, soon after his 
birth. From there they moved into Fayette county in 1809. Wlien grown 
to man's estate Billy engaged in the live stock trade and followed it for more 
than sixty years. He bought and drove cattle, sheep and hogs to Baltimore, 
Philadelphia and New York cities. This was long before Ohio had a rail- 
road within her borders, and many droves were thus taken overland on foot 
to the Eastern markets. Billy went on his horse and was accompanied by 
one man for each hundred hogs or cattle or sheep, and these helpers went on 
foot the entire distance. One winter he took a drove of hogs to Baltimore. 
There were in that drove thirty-three hundred swine, and upon his arrival 
he found a glutted market, and as a result he lost over three thouand dollars 
in his enterprise. The distance from Fayette county to Baltimore is four 
hundred and seventy miles. It required from forty to forty-five days' travel 
to make the distance through a country wild and its streams all unbridged 
and no modern pike roads either ! 

The swine of those days, three-quarters of a century ago, were not of 
the fat, slick porkers of today, but of the "elm peeling" type — lean, lank and 
long in make-up. 

When passing through the Alleghany mountains with his droves, Mr. 
Snider frequently met with many exciting experiences with thieves and rob- 
bers. On one occasion he stayed all night at a farm house on the mountain 
side, and the next morning when ready to leave he discovered that ten of his 
drove of hogs were missing. He and the farmer tracked them up the side 
of the mountain, the frost-covered leaves assisting them to follow their trail. 
They located them in a rail pen in the bushes. There they had remained most 
all night. They were turned loose and were seemingly only too glad to be 
released and speedily found the drove at the foot of the mountains. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 275 

On another occasion Mr. Snider drove three hundred and twenty-nine 
stock hogs to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and there sold them to a hotel keeper. 
He remained over night at the same hotel and had on his person six thousand 
dollars in money, all in his pocket books. Not feeling well that night he did 
not sleep as sound as usual, and well it w^as, too. About midnight he heard 
muffled footsteps coming up the stairs toward his room. He waited until the 
robber really entered his room and commenced feeling about his head and 
pillow, wdiereupon he jumped up and exclaimed, "Leave this room at once or 
I will blow your brains out." He left, too ! As a matter of fact Uncle Billy 
did not have any firearms with him. 

At another time he dropped his pocketbook from a pocket that had a 
hole in it. When he missed it, he was out some distance from the place he 
had last stopped at, and soon retraced his steps. LIpon going into a small 
store, he saw some men looking at something on the counter, and encjuired if 
they had found any money. Replying that they had, they never once ques- 
tioned him, but gave the whole amount over to him. "Billy" thought he had 
struck a very honest neighborhood. The pocketbook contained seven thou- 
sand dollars. 

In pioneer days Uncle Billy "married" a good many couples in Fayette 
county, and it is related that his favorite ceremony w^as as follows : 

"Dark and dismal is the weather 

When I tie this rogue and score together. 
Since you are so well agreed 

Great success the young Indian breed ; 
Wild-cat Jo and Apple Lucia, 

Great success the young papooses, 
Let rain, hail and thunder 

Put this rogue and score together 
Salute your partner." 

"kELLY" DIXON, THE AGED PEDESTRIAN. 

John Kelly Dixon, known far and near as "Kelly" Dixon, a resident ot 
this county and aged ninety-one years, has a unique and interesting record, 
he having been a California "Forty-niner," at a time when crossing over 
from the states to the Pacific coast was no pleasure excursion. He was the 
son of Thomas and Margaret Dixon, born in Bedford county, Virginia, and 
when ten years old accompanied his parents to Ohio, walking four hundred 



276 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

miles. Until he was twenty-five years of age he farmed and cleared up 
timber and split rails at fifty cents a day and received three dollars an acre 
for clearing up some timber land. He boarded himself and subsisted on a 
wild game, fish and corn l^read diet. He was a dead shot with a rifle and 
killed many wild turkeys a hundred yards distant. In 1850 he was attracted, 
with thousands more, to the newly discovered gold fields of California. With 
him were his brother, Ellis Dixon, Henry Hoppes and Joseph Sperry, who 
started out with a mule team — four mules and a big wagon. From Washing- 
ton C. H. they made their way direct to Cincinnati. Ohio, and from there took 
boat passage for St. Louis, from which place they started with their mules 
for the Golden Gate on the far-off Pacific. En route they crossed three great 
deserts, one ninety miles wide, one forty miles wide and another thirty miles 
wide. After traveling six hundred miles on the plains, they came into a 
region where cholera was raging and people were daily dying. Mr. Dixon's 
brother, Ellis, took the dread disease and died. Saddened by the loss of his 
brother and comrade, Dixon and Mr. Hoppes continued on their journey to 
California, their first stop being the then small village of Georgetown. Here 
they made big wages digging gold, but after two weeks Mr. Dixon decided 
to try his luck in other parts of California, bade Hoppes good bye and went 
on alone. Chancing to fall in with a man of his liking, he formed a partner- 
ship with him, and they were both quite successful in gold-mining, but soon 
his partner sickened and died, leaving him alone again in a strange land. 
But by rare good fortune, he fell in with two of his old company and they 
all started for the northern mining section. This trip was among the most 
trying of all his western experience. The little band met several tribes of 
Indians, suspicious and unfriendly. For a time things looked gloomy, but 
the gold diggers sang and danced and finally won their way into the good 
graces of the Indians, and were allowed to go on their way unmolested. 
Staivation then threatened them. During two weeks of their time they were 
in northern California and they had nothing to live on but taffy made from 
sugar and water. For a time they tried mining in Oregon, but in that were 
not successful, so returned to California. Again Dixon was left alone, but in 
a rich field where he had the highest returns of his sojourn in California, 
making as high as forty dollars a day. He traveled two hundred and twenty 
miles alone, making from fifty to sixty miles a day, and by good fortune 
escaped from Indians, bears and wolves. 

During his entire trip he traveled through thirteen bands of Indians, 
some friendly and some savage and unfriendly to the white race. After a 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 2// 

year in California he boarded a boat for Mexico. He was thirty days on the 
Pacific coast and upon reaching Mexico made his best pedestrian record of 
one thousand miles, walking to Vera Cruz, from which city he went to New 
Orleans by boat and over into the Mississippi river, headed north for 
Cairo, Illinois. From that city he walked four hundred miles to Cincinnati, 
finally arriving at Washington C. H. January i, 1852. He was an early con- 
vert to the gospel of work and continued to follow it so long as his age and 
strength would permit. 

AN AGED NATIVE-BORN CITIZEN. 

In April, 19 13, the Ohio Register spoke of an aged man, a native of this 
county, as follows : "Wallace Creamer, of Jefferson township, passed his 
ninety-fourth milestone yesterday. He is a pioneer citizen of Fayette county 
in whom all are justly proud. He is one of the wealthy land owners, whose 
ninety-fourth birthday was last Wednesday. He is truly a wonderful man 
and is approaching his century milestone with the spirits of a boy, with fac- 
ulties preserved and undimmed interest in the affairs of the church and 
nation. Mr. Creamer has voted for every Republican Presid'ent since the 
formation of that party, and is a most loyal supporter of that political party. 
He was born and raised on the Creamer homestead, near Parrott's Station. 
He is rounding out his ripe old age on the same spot where he was born. It 
is the ardent wish of a large family and many friends that he may celebrate 
many more birthdays in the same happy manner that he has this year. 

"Mr. Creamer married and reared a family of honor in this county. 
Mrs. Kate Worthington, mother of Mrs. J. D. Post, is a sister of Mr. 
Creamer, and she has passed her ninetieth birthday." 

At this date (October, 19 14) Mr. Creamer is still living and full of 
vigor and takes his usual interest in the affairs of the world. 

FAYETTE PIONEER AT FORT MEIGS. 

A considerable number of the first settlers in Fayette county had served 
as soldiers in the last war with Great Britain, the War of 181 2- 14. Among 
this number was Batteal Harrison, who was a representative in the Ohio Legis- 
lature — the first from this county. He was later an associate judge and a man 
of unusual importance to the first settlement. He participated in the engage- 
ment at Fort Meigs, under command of Captain Langham. The following 



278 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

description of that awful engagement has been well written by historian 
Henry Howe, and reads as follows : 

Soon after the active operations began around the fort, Gen. William 
Henry Harrison received word that Gen. Green Clay was near at hand with 
a reinforcement of twelve hundred men. The plan was for Clay to descend 
the river in flat-boats ; Clay was to detach eight hundred men, who should be 
landed on the left bank of the river, where they were to attack the English 
batteries, spike the cannons and destroy the carriages, then retreat to the fort, 
while the remainder of the troops were to land on the side next to the fort 
and cut their way to it through the Indians. When Clay approached the 
fort, he detached Colonel Dudley to attack the batteries. To divert the at- 
tention of the English and Indians, General flarrison ordered Colonel Miller, 
with his famous Fourth Regulars, to make a sortie on the side of the river 
on which the fort stood. He attacked the barriers, spiked the cannon, and, 
though the English outnumbered him, he took about forty prisoners and com- 
pletely routed them. Colonel Dudley raised the Indian yell and captured the 
batteries on the opposite side of the river, but, neglecting to spike the cannon, 
and lingering on the spot, his scouts were fired upon by the Indians in ambush. 
Indians began to swarm around him ; Tecumseh swam across the river with 
his savage hordes upon his rear ; Colonel Dudley fell by the tomahawk, and 
scarcely two hundred out of the eight hundred men reached the fort. The 
American prisoners were taken to old Fort Miami, in which they were con- 
fined. Here the infamous Proctor allowed the Indians to butcher the Ameri- 
cans with the tomahawk and scalping-knife and torture them as their fancy 
dictated. He is said to have witnessed the massacre of over twenty prisoners 
in this place. Tecumseh now made his appearance, ignorant of what was 
going on inside of the fort. A British officer described his conduct, on this 
occasion, to an American. He said that suddenly a thundering voice was 
heard speaking in the Indian tongue ; he looked around and saw Tecumseh. 
riding as fast as his horse could carry him, to a spot where two Indians had 
an American, killing him. Tecumseh sprang from his horse and catching- 
one Indian by the throat and the other by the breast, threw them to the 
ground. The chief then drew his tomahawk and scalping-knife and, running 
between the prisoner and the Indians, brandished his weapons madly and 
dared any of the hundreds of Indians around him to touch another prisoner. 
His people seemed much confounded. Tecumseh exclaimed, passionately, 
"Oh! what will become of my Indians!" He then enquired where General 
Proctor w^as, when, suddenly seeing him at a short distance, he demanded of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 279 

the commander why he had allowed this massacre. "Sir," said Proctor, 
"your Indians cannot be commanded." "Begone!" answered the wily old 
chief sneeringly, "yon are unfit to command; go and put on petticoats." 

HON. MILL.S GARDNER— AN EPITOME. 

The late ex-congressman from this county, Hon. Mills Gardner, an hon- 
ored pioneer of Washington C. H., is entitled in this chapter to the following 
epitome. His biography appears elsewhere in the work : 

Born January 30, 1830. 

Left school at the age of fourteen years. 

A store clerk until twenty-five years of age. 

Married October, 1851. 

Admitted to the bar in 1855. 

1855 sent as delegate to state convention that nominated Salmon P. 
Chase. 

Elected prosecuting attorney two terms. 

1862. member of Ohio State Senate. 

1864, presidential elector on Lincoln ticket. 

1866, member of Ohio House of Rtpresentatives. 

1872, member of State Constitutional Convention. 

1876, elected to seat in United States Congress. 

Died February 20, 1910. 

A type of noble manhood. 

JUDGE RICHARD A. HARRISON. 

This distinguished lawyer and honored citizen, while not a resident, 
practiced law in Fayette county nearly a half century, and by reason of his 
strong personality and rare judicial mind, won the esteem and confidence of 
many within this county, who will recall his fair decisions and his noble traits 
of manhood. He passed from earth's shining circle in xA.ugust, 1904. He 
was born April 8, 1824, in Thirsk, Yorkshire, England, the son of a mechanic 
who was also a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. With his 
parents young Harrison came to America in 1832, the family settling in 
Warren county, but subsequently removed to Springfield, where the subject 
of this memoir worked on the Republic, a newspaper of that city, when aged 
about tweh'e years. In his after years he was classed among such noted 
characters as Stanley Mathews, Judge Hoadley, Judge Rufus S. Ranney and 



28o FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Others of his day. In his office he frequently vacillated, but before the court 
he never wavered. He studied every feature of the case — both sides — and 
v^as never caught by the wiley traps sometimes set by opposite attorneys. 
While he knew both sides of all cases he tried, he never showed this fact 
before the court and jury — one side was his to contend for and there was 
none other to him before the courts. 

Of Judge Harrison's early career it should be recorded that he com- 
menced to study law in the office of Judge Rodgers, of Springfield, Ohio. 
After eighteen months there he entered the Cincinnati Law School, the first 
such institution established west of the Alleghany mountains. He graduated 
in the spring of 1846 and by virtue of his diploma was admitted to the bar on 
his twenty-second birthday, April 8, 1846, at London,' Ohio. He had many 
celebrated cases, some of which were fought out before the supreme court. 
Among such noted cases at law may be recalled that in which the proceedings 
attacked the patents of the Bell Telephone Company. In this case he had 
associated with him Governor Hendricks, of Indiana, and J. J. Starrow, of 
Boston. 

Politically, Judge Harrison was first a Whig and later a Republican. In 
1857 he was elected to a seat in the General Assembly, being in the House. 
In 1859 he was elected to the State Senate. He there served with such noted 
law-makers as Gen. James A. Garfield, Jacob D. Cox, Thomas C. Jones and 
E. A. Ferguson. In 1861, when Gov. Thomas Corwin was appointed as 
minister to Mexico, his place as congressman was filled by- Judge Harrison, 
who was appointed to such position.. He retired from public life in 1863. In 
1875 Governor R. B. Hayes appointed him as a member of the supreme court 
commission for Ohio, but he respectfully declined, as did he upon the death 
of Judge William W. Johnson, in 1887, when Governor Foraker tendered him 
a seat on the supreme bench. He preferred the private practice of law to 
holding public offices. 

Among the paragraphs in the fine set of resolutions by the bar associa- 
tion, after his death, occurs these words : "He was the ideal lawyer, states- 
man and citizen. Truly a great man has fallen. Nevertheless he lives and 
he was a man who in his profession and his every walk of life is worthy of 
emulation and veneration.'' 

HON. MARSHALL J. WILLIAMS. 

This deceased member of the state supreme court was born in Fayette 
county, Ohio, February 22, 1837, and died at Columbus, July 7, 1902. His 
father was Dr. Charles M. Williams, who was a native of Clermont county. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 281 

this State. The parents resided in Fayette county nearly all the years of their 
married life. The father was a noted physician of his day. Judge Williams, 
of whom this memoir treats especially, was permitted to attend the common 
schools, but had a hard time at trying to secure a higher education, but finally 
mastered all obstacles and became a learned man. Aside from two years at 
Delaware College he had no school advantages outside the common district 
school. Before he had reached the age of twenty years he had taught a 
number of terms of district school, at the same time studying law. In 1857, 
when he was about twenty years old, knowing that he was qualified to practice 
law, but also knowing that he had to wait another year before he could be 
admitted in Ohio, he w'ent west to Iowa, where age made no difference, and 
there he was at once examined and admitted to the bar. He remained and 
practiced there for one year, then, being seized with a home-sickness for his 
native state, he returned and opened a law office in Washington C. H. He 
continued in the practice until 1884, when he was elected judge of the second 
district circuit court. The year after he returned from Iowa, 1859, he was 
elected prosecuting attorney for Fayette coimty and was re-elected in 1861. 
In 1869 he was honored by being elected to a seat in the Ohio Legislature, 
and was re-elected in 1871. In 1884, when the circuit court of Ohio was 
created, he was elected a judge in that court, and was soon its chief justice. 
He served two years on the circuit bench and in 1886 was elevated to the 
state supreme court. In 1891 he was re-elected and still again in 1896, serving 
almost sixteen years on the supreme bench of the state. 

As a judge the name of Marshall J. Williams will be honored as one of 
the greatest jurists of his generation, and will stand in fame among the ablest 
of any age. In the social relations of life, among his neighbors and acquaint- 
ances, he was highly respected, and in his profession was admired and beloved 
by all the attorneys. His moral character was above reproach and unsullied. 
He was ever a true gentleman, honest and upright, commanding the respect 
of all within the large scope of his activities. His influence was always on 
the side of right and good order. 

Hon. A. R. Creamer, a fellow associate, used these words in his eulogy 
over Judge Williams: "He needs no bronze statue or granite shaft to per- 
petuate his memory. His decisions will be read, studied and followed in the 
legal profession and the courts for a thousand years and as long as our 
present form of government endures. A man's good works are the most en- 
during monument to his memory. Judge Williams could leave no richer 
legacy to the public or to posterity than the record of a pure, well-spent, hon- 
ored life." 



CHAPTER XIX. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 



TOPOGRAPHY. 

The lONviiship of Union occupies a central position in the county. It 
was one of the original townships, formed at the time of the organization 
of Fayette county in 1810. The boundary lines are as follows: Beginning 
about a mile east of Bloomingburg, on the Marion township line, it runs a 
little south of west about four and a half miles to the pike; then deflects a 
little to the south until it reaches Paint creek, about two and a half miles ; 
thence nearly southwest about two miles to Sugar creek; thence with said 
creek about ten miles to Paint creek ; thence north with the pike one mile ; 
thence east one mile to Paint creek ; thence north two miles with the creek ; 
thence northeast two miles to the pike ; thence north of east three miles to 
the railroad ; thence northwest with the pike three miles ; thence north to 
the beginning. 

The drainage of the township is well taken care of by Paint creek, 
supplemented by artificial drainage where necessary. This creek divides 
near Washington into the east and west branch. Sugar creek flows along 
the western side of the township. The land generally is level in Union town- 
ship. The western portion was at one time very heavily timbered, while 
the northeastern part was called the "barrens," very low and swampy, covered 
with high grass in the early days, which the Indians annually destroyed bv 
burning. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Edward Smith. Sr.. was one of the earlier settlers in the township, 
coming in 18 10. He is mentioned in full in the chapter on earlv settlement 
and organization. Elis death occurred while he was trying to cross Paint 
creek during high water. 

Jacob Casselman was a noted hunter and farmer of this section. John 
Thomas, a farmer, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Jacob Judy, also a 
soldier in this \var, was another prominent early farmer. Col. Joseph Bell 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 283 

represented the fourth district in Congress for several terms. Col. Joseph 
Vance, Sr., served in the French and Revolutionary wars. John King, 
farmer, Robert Irion, first surveyor, William Cockerall, first school teacher, 
John Irion, trustee. William Boggs, shoemaker, J. and S. Coffin, tailors, were 
in the War of 1812, also James Pollock and Reuben Purcell. William Bran- 
non, Sr., William Brannon, Jr., James Brannon, C. Coffman, Hiram Rush 
and N. Rush were farmers. The Aliens, Ananias, Madison, James, Joseph, 
Jesse, Benjamin and Eben, all li\'ed on Allen run, sometimes called Big run. 
Robert Smith emigrated from Virginia at an early date and settled in 
Ross county, near Bainbridge. From Ross he came to Fayette and after- 
ward served in the War of 1812. Edward Taylor was a Pennsylvanian and 
a veteran of all the early wars. He first came to Kentucky and in 181 5 pur- 
chased two hundred acres of Nathaniel Massie on main Paint and Taylor 
runs. He li\Td to be over one hundred years of age. J. S. Bereman was 
another early settler of Union township. Daniel McLain, Joseph McLain, 
William R. Millikan, William Rush and Lieut. John Millikan were other 
early comers to the township. 

Judge James Beatty emigrated to Fayette county in 1818, when the tow^n 
of Washington had but a few log cabins and deer and game were in abund- 
ance. He served in the War of 18 12. His father w^as Charles Beatty, who 
died in 1850. Judge Beatty w^as elected and commissioned an associate 
judge in 1847 and served until the new constitution w-as adopted. 

Robert Robinson, attorney and an early representative of Fayette 
county; W'ade Loofborrow, of whom the same could be said; Col. S. F. 
Carr, attorney, were pioneers. Brice Webster, Robert Harrison, Joseph Orr 
and James Harrison were farmers. Thomas, J. and C. Walker. James Tim- 
mons, Patrick Pendergrass, Thomas Pendergrass, James Allen, Samuel Web- 
ster, Moses Rowe, Daniel McLain, John Hues, B. Ball, John Weeks, John 
Dehaven. William Highland, Robert Geno, Abram Ware. David Thompson. 
Daniel Shiry. John Rankin. N. Evans, John Allen and David Morrison were 
farmers. 

Seth Dunn, hunter and farmer ; Elisha Taylor and Colonel Jewett. farm 
ers, were all in the War of 1812. Nathan Loofborrow. Jerome Drais and 
James McCoy w^ere all noted stock dealers. Isaac Templeton, a day laborer, 
v\^as the father of eighteen children (three sets of twins). Abel Wrio-ht 
and John Myers, respectiA-ely tanner and farmer; Joseph Blackburn was 
ninety-nine, a tanner; Stephen Grubb, carpenter; Judge Gillespie, a man of 
influence ; Noah Devault and George Hinkle, carpenters ; Zebedee Heao-Ier 
and John Grady were the first butchers. 



284 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

John Thomas settled at the month of the east fork of Paint creek about 
1 810 and was known all over the county as "Chin" Thomas, on account of 
the remarkable extension of his chin. 

Robert Harrison and William Downing came from Kentucky about 
1808, and located on Sugar creek. Samuel and Frank Waddle came from 
Kentucky in 1810 and settled on Sugar creek. Henry and Jacob Snyder 
came from Virginia, first to Ross county, then to Fayette, locating on Sugar 
creek in 1809. David and John Wright settled on Sugar creek in 1808. 
Leonard Bush came from Virginia, with a large family, in 1808, and settled 
on Sugar creek. Fielding Figgins, with four or five sons, came from Ken- 
tucky and began farming on Sugar creek in 1809. The Millers came from 
Virginia in 1810 and settled between Washington and Sugar creek. The 
Coils located near Bloomingburg in 1809. Jacob Judy came from Virginia 
and located on the east fork of Paint creek in 1809. A Mr. Smith settled on 
Paint creek, in which he was subsequently drowned. 

It appears that for a long time no settlements were made in the im- 
mediate vicinity of Washington. John Orr settled on Paint creek, about 
two miles southeast of Washington, in 1808. 

Valentine (Felty) Coil was one of the earlier settlers of Fayette county 
and Washington C. H. During the early Indian wars, when about two years 
of age, he was captured at Ruddle's station by the Indians and Canadians 
under Colonel Byrd, and, with his sister, was carried across the Ohio, at Cin- 
cinnati, to Niagara Falls, thence to Canada, where he was adopted by a 
squaw who had lost a son, with whom he lived until his marriage. It is 
said that the notorious Simon Girty, who captured him, met him at a public 
house in Canada, and after inviting him to drink, and when under the in- 
fluence of "fire water," bantered him for a fight, which being refused, he 
grew very talkative and revealed to him the whereabouts of his friends. On 
the strength of this, Coil went to Kentucky and found an uncle, who went 
with him to Virginia and found his mother, who had married a man named 
Hendricks. When he saw her, she did not recognize him. By means of a 
mark he was made known. He returned to Canada and, after the death 
■of his wife, came to Fayette county and set up a distillery near Washington, 
which he finally abandoned and came into town. It is said he made whiskey 
in Canada for the English Fur Company. He was sold by the Indians to 
a British ofiicer, whose wife imposed upon him and made him a slave. 



CHAPTr:R x\ 

JEFFERSON 'lOW NSI 1 I I' 



TOPOGRAPHY. 

Jefferson township was named after the third President of the United 
States. It is located in the northwestern part of Fayette county, being 
bounded on the north by Madison county, on the east by Paint township, on 
the south by Union and Jasper townships, and on the west by Greene county. 
Paint creek forms its eastern boundary proper, while Rattlesnake enters in 
the north and crosses the entire township, flowing southwestwardly, while 
the numerous tributaries of these streams traverse the township in dilTerent 
directions. According to statements of the old settlers. Rattlesnake creek 
is named from an old Indian chief, whose camp was often located along the 
banks of this stream named after him. Sugar creek, flowing almost parallel 
with Rattlesnake, obtained its name from the great abundance of sugar 
maple on its banks. 

The surface of Jefferson township is generally level, with occasional 
ridges and low rolling hills. The soil is black and very productive and large 
crops of grain are harvested each year, especially between Sugar and Rattle- 
snake creeks. The land in this section was originally timbered heavily with 
elm, hickory, oak and sugar maple, but the interests of commercialism have 
largely removed this magnificent growth from the township. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Chief among the military surveys of this township are tracts bearing the 
names of McArthur, two thousand acres; Washington, two thousand acres; 
Kiearns, one thousand acres; Duff, two thousand acres; Dunn, one thousand 
acres ; Mosely, one thousand acres. Pendleton, Spottswood and others. These 
surveys have been divided into small tracts and are owned principally by the 
pioneers and their posterity. 

Records show that William Robinson, Sr., was among the first who 
settled within the limits of this township. The family, which consisted of 



286 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

father and four sons, were natives of North Carohna, whence they removed 
to Virginia. In the year igoi they came to this state and settled in Greene 
county about five miles southeast of Xenia, where they remained a few years 
and then came to this township, perhaps in 1804. The elder Robinson located 
on the present site of Jeffersonville, occupying a cabin situated on a lot later 
owned by Richard Fox. William Robinson, Jr., took possession of a tract 
of land just across the creek from the village, now known as the Wright 
farm. Two of the sons, Thomas and Abner, lived near, also Nicholas, an- 
other son. 

Aaron Kendall and family left Stafford county, Virginia, in 1805 and 
settled in this township on part of the Washington survey. The father 
eventuallv traveled back to Virginia and died there. The remainder of the 
family grew up and scattered. 

In the year 1809 or 18 10, George Creamer and three sons, Michael, 
Joseph and David, came from Berkeley county, Virginia, and settled on 
Sugar creek, on land still owned by his descendants. George Creamer, Jr., 
came in 181 3 and located in the same neighborhood. The family held 
prominent positions and took an active part in the development of the county. 
George was the first justice of the peace; David was justice of the peace and 
survevor; Joseph, Michael and David participated in the War of 1812. The 
senior Creamer died in the year 1825. 

Soon after the Creamers took their departure from their Virginia home 
they were followed by Marshall and Jacob Jenkins, who resided in the same 
neighborhood. Marshall Jenkins removed to Sugar creek. He lived there 
about twenty years, then removed to Port Williams, in Clinton county. Jacob 
took possession of a tract of land and lived thereon until 1850, when he 
divided the same amongst his children and removed to Jeffersonville, where 
he died in 1865. 

Prior to 1812 a Carolinian named John McKillep came here and located 
about two miles north of Jeffersonville, with his wife and three sons, John. 
William and Daniel. Mrs. McKillep was held in high esteem for her services 
among the settlers as midwife, and, because of the scarcity of physicians, was 
in great demand. 

One of the two Duff surveys in the county was settled by Patrick Kerns, 
who emigrated prior to 1810 and cleared a piece of ground adjoining that 
of Jenkins and Creamer. He built a two-story log house, in appearance far 
in advance of his day and which was standing and occupied as late as 1874. 
The western survey was purchased by Peter Harness in 181 1 and divided 
among his sons. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 287 

Joseph Hicly settled at an early day near Paint creek and owned a large 
tract of land in Paint township. Michael Carr owned land in this township, 
but lived in Paint. 

John Killgore, with his wife and a large family, emigrated to Greene 
county, Ohio, from Kentucky in t8oi and located in the immediate vicinity 
of Xenia. where they remained several years, but, because of the scarcity of 
game, they determined to change their quarters. Accordingly the elder, ac- 
companied by several of his sons and a neighbor named James Kent, pro- 
ceeded to explore the country east of Xenia and finally entered this township. 
The first trace of civilization they discovered was a turnip patch near the 
cabin of Phillip Powell. They struck the branch called Benbow creek and 
followed the same through the farm now owned by Perry Killgore to its 
mouth at Sugar creek and here a bear was shot by one of the party. Per- 
ceiving smoke arising from near the spring on what was later the Blessing 
farm, they proceeded hither and discovered a party of Indians in camp. The 
latter were friendly and invited the Killgores to remain over night, which 
invitation was thankfully accepted, the bear being served for supper. On 
the following day they went to Madison county, selected a tract of land, 
erected a cabin, and moved into the same with their families, remaining until 
1808, when one hundred and twenty-five acres in this township, extending 
from Perry Killgore's house to the road east of the same, were purchased. 
Here they remained until 1812, engaged in farming and hunting. At the 
outbreak of the War of 1812 one of the sons, James, went to Kentucky with 
Nathaniel Scott and manufactured saltpetre. John went to Chillicothe, en- 
listed in the service and died w^hile guarding prisoners. His coffin was made 
by Joseph Hidy. His son, John Clark, volunteered and was taken to Upper 
Sandusky, where he remained until the close of the war. The Killgore farm 
was purchased of Thomas Posey at seventy-five cents per acre. At the death 
of the elder Killgore it was bought by two of his sons ; one of the brothers, 
Clark, eventually became sole owner. 

In the immediate vicinity of the Killgore home were pioneers made of 
such as the following : Philip Powell came during the years intervening be- 
tween 1 80 1 and 1804 and afterwards removed to Indiana, where he died. 
He was a Kentuckian by birth. Solomon Green remained a short time. It 
is said of his son William, that he brought from Kentucky and wore the first 
pair of boots ever brought to this settlement, which gave him the name of 
"Bill Boots.'' David Polly and Mr. Risdon were early residents of the 
neighborhood. The latter married Elizabeth, a daughter of John Killgore, 
Sr. In about the year 181 5 Stephen Hunt removed to the farm which had 



288 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

been lately vacated by Polly. He was a carpenter, surveyor, blacksmith and 
justice of the peace. He eventually moved back to Illinois. Samuel Horn- 
beck occupied the farm later owned by Abram Blessing. Being subject to 
frequent attacks of fits, his wife was told that a permanent cure might be 
effected by taking off his under garment and burning the same. At the next 
attack the remedy was given a trial, resulting in the loss of the garment, but 
a failure as a cure. Moses Thomas settled on Sugar creek in 1825 and en- 
gaged in blacksmithing. Ji-ist below Moses Thomas lived James and Andrew 
Wicker, who were natives of North Carolina. William and John Horney 
settled early in the township and devoted most of their time to hunting. John 
Mock, from North Carolina, came first to Greene county, Ohio, and assisted 
in the erection of the first dwelling house in Xenia. In 1853 he came here 
and settled. He died in 1862. Joseph Kent, who came with the Killgores, 
remained with them until 1808, then removed to Madison county, where he 
lived the rest of his days. 

OFFICIAL ANNALS. 

The original boundaries of Jefferson township and the changes in the 
same may be found in the chapter on early settlement. 

The following officers were elected on the ist day of April, 18 16, and 
sworn in on the 6th day of the same month : Justice of the peace, Thomas- 
Robinson; trustees, Jacob Jenkins, Joseph Kendall and Nicholas Robinson; 
constables, William McCandless and Price Landfare; supervisors, Samuel 
Wicker, John Miller, George Pence and James Sanderson; treasurer, John 
McKillep; lister, William McCandless; overseers of the poor, Patrick Kernan 
and John Williams ; fence viewers, Jacob Jenkins and David Creamer, the 
latter being appointed at a subsequent meeting of the trustees; clerk, David 
Creamer. 

March 3, 18 17, the trustees met at the house of William C. Blackmore 
and issued orders as follows : 

John Miller, supervisor one year, $3.00; Samuel Wicker, received $5.25 
for a like service ; Jacob Jenkins, trustee, one year, $6.00 ; for serving in the 
capacity of supervisor one year, James Sanderson and George, each $2.25 ; 
Joseph Kendall, trustees, $4.00; Joseph Creamer, per cent, of funds, 98 
cents ; David Creamer, clerk, $4.00 ; following which appears this entry : 
"Settled all accounts with treasurer and there remains $1.22 in the treasury." 

On March 21, 1818, John Fenel was paid $2.62 V< for his services as 
deputy supervisor ; the fraction was paid in "sharp shins'' or "cut money." 

On June 28, 1824, William Longbridge, constable, was commanded by 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 289 

John Ryan, an overseer of the poor, to "summon Samuel Thornton and Lida 
Thornton to depart out of this township." 

The trustees, on May 24, 1834, bound to James Fent, as an apprentice. 
George Seamer, aged eleven, until he shall attain the age of twenty-one ; con- 
ditioned that the said Fent shall clothe, maintain and educate said Seamer 
and at the expiration of his term of servitude shall present him with a Bible 
and two suits of clothes. This is the first transaction of the kind on record. 

The first marriage in the township was between William Aurley and 
Lucy Kendall, at the house of Aaron Wood. Squire Joel Wood officiated. 

Patrick Kerran, or Kerns, was the first blacksmith and followed his 
trade for many years. He brought his forge with him and was assisted by 
his wife in striking the iron. 

Thomas McGara was the first physician. He lived at Washington and 
visited his patients on horseback. He enjoyed a good reputation and after- 
wards served his county as associate judge and representative. James F. 
Boyer and George Sharrette were the pioneer brickmakers; D. McCoy, the 
first merchant; Joseph Hidy and Stephanus Hunt, the first carpenters. 

The counterfeiters who infested this county in the early days frequently 
victimized the citizens of Jefferson township, though there was no organized 
gang within the limits of the township. In later years, when Alfred Wals- 
ton removed to the blacksmith shop occupied originally by Moses Thomas, he 
found concealed in the same a mold for the production of bogus silver dollars. 

Richard Douglass, of Chillicothe, and one of the first practitioners at 
the Washington bar, owned a tract of land in Jefferson township, containing 
about twelve hundred acres, which was in charge of his brother, an ex- 
sea captain. Richard, or Dick as he was called, was very quick of temper, 
but usually regretted his outbursts the next moment. One wmter he pur- 
chased a large flock of sheep and put them in his brother's care, who managed 
to preserve half of them; the others died from sheer neglect and were placed 
in a heap and covered with straw. On the following spring, Dick visited his 
farm and upon discovering the dead sheep exclaimed, "What in the hell," 
but, regretting the hasty remark, lifted his eyes and added, "God forgive me.'" 

In the fall of the year 1844-5 a- party of emigrants who were on their 
way from Virginia to a Western state, encamped in the woods on the Wash- 
ington and Jamestown road, on the site of West Lancaster. With them were 
two young men named Martin and McClung, who were prospecting and, 
having overtaken the emigrants, concluded to accompany them to the West. 
It was on the evening of the fall election and two young men, named re- 
(19) 



290 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

specti\Tly Hiram Hosier and Henry Smith, were returning from the polls at 
Jeffersonville in a jolly mood and on horseback. One of them, it is alleged, 
npon arriving at the camp conducted himself in such a manner as to insult 
the women and arose the indignation of the men, who proceeded to chastise 
them. The party attacked retreated about two hundred yards, then charged 
upon the assailing party. In the melee which ensued Hosier encountered 
McClung and struck him on the head, inflicting a dangerous wound, from 
the effects of which he died in a few hours. Hosier was arrested. The case, 
however, was postponed from time to time. It was finally brought to trial 
and ]\Iartin, the prosecuting witness, having been bribed to abscond, the jury 
disagreed. Thus the case was struck out. 

On April 20, 1843, ^ party of young men went to a wedding at Straley's, 
then in Jefferson, but now in Jasper township, to "bell.'' They were attacked 
by those inside and Antrim Rankins, son of Thomas R. Rankins, was shot 
and died on the following day. John Hidy was arrested and charged with 
the deed. He was admitted to bail, left the country and never returned. 

MILLS. 

The pioneers of Jefferson township, as in other localities, enjoyed no 
opportunities for trading at home. Grain and other products were conveyed 
to Cincinnati, Springfield and Oldtown, much time and laljor being required 
in making these trips. It soon became apparent that nothing could be gained 
so long as there were no facilities for grinding the grain into flour and vari- 
ous devices were invented. 

Perhaps the first mill was erected by William Robinson on Sugar creek. 
It was a very crude structure. Another water-mill was erected on the same 
creek bv William Blackamore and used for grinding corn. Jacob Creamer, 
in 1840, erected a saw-mill within the present limits of Jeffersonville, where 
the covered bridge stood, and afterwards added a corn-cracker. During the 
Avet season lumber was shipped across the creek on a raft and taken to the 
village. The lumber, which was white and burr oak, was used extensively. 
Edward Gray had charge of it and in the spring, when the water was low, 
frequently put his shoulder to the water gate in order to put the machinery 
in motion. David Creamer had a saw-mill on the land later owned by 
Wallace Creamer. These dams have long since been abandoned. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 29I 



TOWNS AND HAMLETS. 



Jefferson township is not noted for many villages of importance. The 
present ones are Jeffersonville, with a population of seven hundred and six- 
teen ; West Lancaster, with one hundred and forty-two ; Parrott, with a 
population of fifty, and a mere hamlet, known as Blessing. Another early- 
day village was Pleasant View, of which a mention is made in this chapter. 
The total population of Jeft'erson township, together with that of the village 
of Jeffersonville, was, in 1910, two thousand seven hundred and eighteen. 

Jeffersonville is beautifully situated on the banks of Sugar creek, eleven 
miles northwest from Washingtoil C. II., and eighteen miles from South 
Charleston. It is on the Detroit & Southern railroad, running northwest 
and southeast, while the same system has a line, originally dubbed "Grass- 
hopper road," extending northeast and southwest. The old State road in its 
direct east and west course runs through Jeffersonville. As long ago as 
18S0 it was said of this village, "For the last year business in the village has 
made rapid strides, and at this writing there is not a vacant dwelling house 
in the place. The railroad has brought new industries and enterprises, and 
good mechanics are employed at steady wages." 

While William Robinson was a resident of the land where now stands 
Jeffersonville, he cannot be called the first real resident. It was in 1831, 
when Walter B. Wright and Chipman Robinson, who owned a hundred acres 
of the present platting, believing that the farming community of this town- 
ship needed a trading post of some kind, laid off town lots, in March of that 
year, and disposed of them at five dollars each. 

The first house was built by Robert Wiley, on Main street. This was 
platted as Lot No. i. Among the people there at that time — all that year or 
the next — were W^illiam Devault, Reuben Carr, Jacob Jenkins and M. B. 
Wright. Then followed Edward Gray, a native of Morgan county, Virginia, 
who came to Ohio in tlie fall of 1836, with his father Michael and the family. 
They came over the completed National road. He purchased land in this 
township, at three dollars per acre. It was all a dense forest and very diffi- 
cult to clear up. Edward moved to town a few years later and engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, which were conducted by himself and later by his son. 
The first store in the village, it is thought by many, was that of Edward 
Popejoy. Reuben and Jesse Carr were early dry goods dealers. Hiram 
Duff' was the pioneer blacksmith, Joseph Games the first tanner, and Doctor 



292 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

l^ioarer the first physician. In 1840 there were seventeen buildings, most 
nf which were log, and altogether the village did not present any too attrac- 
tive an appearance to the passing stranger. H. H. Pearson came in about 
1843 and started a grocery and liquor store. He had a large trade in both 
commodities and made a fortune in a few years ; he finally went to Defiance, 
Ohio, and there lost most of his wealth. He then emigrated to Iowa." 

The business of this village in 1914 is about as follows: Attorney, U. 
G. Creamer; agricultural implements, Frank Vanorsdall, R. A. Horney ; auto 
garage, JelTerson Auto Company ; blacksmiths. C. W. Spangler. John Boone, 
David Davis: barbers, J. L. Spellman, Ira Mosier; banks, Citizens and Farmers 
banks ; dray lines, Albert Inskip. O. G. Glaze, McKalip Coal and Supply 
Company ; dentist. Dr. G. M. Hines ; drugs. J. B. Davis ; elevators, Threll- 
keld and Blessing; furniture, Janes &: Company: groceries, W. A. Reid, F. A. 
Horney, C. D. Bush, Sears & Son, Wood & Duff and Frank Coe; dry goods, 
Hull & Company, W. W. Routson ; hardware, Boobo Hardware Company; 
harness. M. F. Hudson; hotel, "Mecca," by C. F. McAuliffe; jewelry, G. H. 
Follett ; lumber, C. C. French ; livery, F. C. Vanarsdoll, C. J. McGrew ; 
millinery, C. Maude Wood ; mills. The Jefferson Milling Company ; news- 
paper, Tlic Citizen; restaurants, Maggie Wilson, Lester Allen; physicians, 
Drs. F. E. Wilson, J. H. French, H. V. Lusher; real estate, G. L. Carr; stock 
dealer, A. C. Shepard ; veterinary, Dr. F. J. Morris ; meat market, T. W. 
Mock ; racket store, W. O. King ; tinning and roofing, A. E. Moon ; cement 
blocks. R. E. Thornton ; bakery, Charles Miles ; pool room, John Rowell ; 
merchant tailor. J. C. Tudor; undertaker and funeral director, F. C. Morrow; 
fire insurance, F. C. Morrow ; coal dealers, O. J. Glaze, McKillip Coal and 
Supplv Company ; clothing. Harr\' Frieds. 

MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 

Under authority of the state of Ohio, the town of Jeffersonville was 
duly incorporated in March. 1838. The corporation limits were materially 
extended in April, 1880. 

Ordinances passed at various dates included some which seem curious 
to the reader of today. The first was dated April 26, 1838: "That if any 
person or persons shall run a horse or horses in any of the streets or alleys 
within the limits of said town, they shall, on conviction, be fined in any sum 
not more than five dollars, nor less than one dollar, at the discretion of the 
niayor." 

April 14. 1845: "That any person setting- up a grocery for the pur- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 293 

pose of selling li(|uor by the dram or less than one quart (except for medicinal 
purposes) shall be fined in any sum not more than five dollars, nor less than 
one dollar for such offense." 

August, 1852: It was ordained that there should be no more liquor 
sold in the place, and the marshal was instructed to close certain places of im- 
moral resort within the place. 

The last named year it was also ordained that some suitable person be 
appointed to sell spirituous liquors for medicinal and mechanical purposes. 

In 1879 the council ordained that "Hereafter all places where intoxicat- 
ing liquors are sold shall be closed at nine o'clock each evening and remain 
closed until six A. M." A fine was fixed as a penalty in the sum of from 
ten to fifty dollars. 

By 1880 this town had grown into a fine business center, and had its 
churches. Masonic and Odd Fellows halls and excellent schools. 

The following is a list of the mayors of Jeffersonville as nearly as can 
be obtained. As to any resignations during any of these terms the minutes 
do not give them. All the minutes read "Council met in regular session with 
mayor in the chair," and do not say who. Adolph Voigt. 1882-1888; J. M. 
Straley, 1888-1890; J. B. Fent. 1890-1892; A. C. Morrill, 1892-1894; N. C. 
Wilcox, 1894; J. M. Straley. 1894-1896; S. J. Todd, 1896-1900; J. M. Scott, 
1900-1902; Lesson Day, 1902-1904; G. W. Blessing, 1904-1906; Frank 
Pond, 1906-1907; A. W. Duft', 1907; J. D. Davis, 1908-1910; H. W. Duff, 
1910-T911; J. D. Davis, 1912-1913; U. G. Creamer, 1914. 

The municipal officers in 1914 were: Mayor. U. G. Creamer; clerk, 
Othelo Wade; treasurer, R. L. Saunders; council, J. B. Fent, chairman, G. 
M. Hiner, O. C. Glaze, J. C. Tudor, D. J. Charles. S. C. Morrow; health 
ofificer, William Bergdill ; marshal and street commissioner, O. M. Allen. 

Jeffersonville has a chemical fire engine and a volunteer company, but 
no water works system. It is supplied with electric lights from Washington 
C. H. 

POSTAL HISTORY. 

According to recent figures received from Washington. D. C. the fol- 
lowing have served as postmasters at Jeffersonville (office established in 
1834): Jacob Creamer. June 21, 1834; E. H. Skillman, December, 1839; 
E. H. Crow appointed September 25, 1841; H. K. Pearson, August 6, 1845; 
W. B. Logan, March 6, 1863; Lewis Goldman. June 5, 1863; J. W. Hay- 
maker, March 5, 1864; Edward Gray. January 15, 1872; Fred Higgins, 
December 8, 1881 ; L. A. Elster, February 26, 1883; ^- J- Lewis, August 3, 



294 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

1885 : Jesse M. Blooiner, June 13, 1889; R. N. Scott, August 24, 1893 ; James 
Stralev, September 14, 1897; Warren W. Williams, October i, 1901, and 
present incumbent. Two rural free delivery routes go out from this point. 
Jeffersonville was one of four places of a thousand and under in Ohio which 
the government two years ago installed as "free delivery" as an experiment, 
and two and three deliveries are made daily. This was instituted at the 
instigation of Postmaster Williams. It is altogether a success and will 
doubtless be followed by many more. 

A large, two-story brick town hall and corporation building was erected 
here in 1898 at a cost of about eighteen thousand dollars. It includes a fine 
opera house. The place now has a population of almost eight hundred. Its 
churches are the Methodist Protestant, the Methodist Episcopal, the Uni- 
versalist and Church of Christ (in Church Union) and two colored organiza- 
tions. See Church chapter. The lodges include the Masonic, Odd Fellows, 
Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. 

The streets are well kept, the side walks are an honor to the town and 
the class of business houses and residences do credit to the enterprising 
citizens. 



CHAPTER XXL 

JASPER TOWNSHIP. 

jasper township is the central western sub-division of Fayette county. 
It is bounded on the north by Jefferson, on the east by Jefferson and Union 
townships ; on the south by Concord township and CHnton county ; on the 
west by CHnton and Greene counties. 

This part of Fayette county was first settled in 1809. Jacob and Joseph 
Coile, in the spring of that year, emigrated from Pendleton county, Virginia, 
and located on a military claim of two hundred acres belonging to their 
father, Gabriel Coile, a Revolutionary soldier. The sons were both married 
before leaving Virginia. These families remained here until 18 14, then 
located near Indianapolis, Indiana. 

In 1 8 14 another Virginian came to the township. This was Jacob Her- 
shaw, who located on the original Coile claim, having traded his farm in 
Virginia for a hundred and sixty acres of this tract. He was a resident until 
181 8, when he relocated in Indiana. 

Robert Burnett, of Pendleton county, Virginia, came here in 1810. He 
was a single man and worked out by the month until 181 2, then married and 
squatted on government land. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
later served as a militiaman, being captain of a company. He held several 
township offices in Jasper, including those of clerk and trustee. He was 
later still appointed road viewer by the county commissioners. He was an 
excellent land surveyor and surveyed out many of the county roads of Fay- 
ette county. Between 181 3 and 1821 he resided in Union township. He was 
noted for his good citizenship and peaceful qualities. It is recorded of him 
that in all of his more than four score years' citizenship, he was never known 
to have a quarrel with his neighbors or to have been engaged in a law suit. 
He was a very temperate man and enjoyed old age as well as youth and }'oung. 
manhood. He passed away like a golden sheaf, fully ripe and mature. 

Leonard Bush, another son of the Old Dominion, was born in Pendleton 
county, Virginia, in 1778, and came to Ross county, Ohio, in 1809, locating, 
at a point later known as Convenience Station, on the Dayton & Southeastern 
railroad. He. only remained in Ross county two years, then came on to Jas- 



296 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

per township in the spring of 181 1. He purchased two hundred acres from 
his father and erected him a log cabin, without a floor. He cleared fifteen 
acres of timber the first spring and planted it to corn. He worked by means 
of the old style wooden-mould-board breaking plow. He next built him a 
shop and followed his trade, that of a wheelwright, for seventeen years in 
connection with his farming operations. By the time his son married he had 
secured as much as three hundred acres and, having that all to attend to, he 
quit working at the wagon business. 

Another early comer was a Methodist preacher named Jones Brooks, who 
came into the township in 181 1 from Virginia. He followed both farming 
and preaching. 

Jacob A. Rankin came from Virginia in 1800, settling on Salt creek, in 
Ross county, where he remained two years an*d then moved to where Bloom- 
ingburg now stands. He died in 1876. 

Another name among the pioneers of Jasper township and Fayette county 
"which should never lose a place in the annals of the same is that of John 
Coons, of whom Doctor Mason, of Milledgeville, wrote many years since 
the following, in substance : "One by one the old pioneers are dropping off. 
'Uncle Johnny' Coons, as he was familiarly called, has gone. He died after 
a short illness, leaving a family of three children beyond the age of fifty 
years. 'Uncle John' was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1792, and his 
boyhood days were spent in welding the old flint-lock musket barrels at a gov- 
ernment shop in the town of his birth. Subsequently he enlisted as a soldier 
in the War of 181 2, serving until peace was declared, after which he drew 
a pension so long as he lived. He married Hannah Jones in 1820 and set out 
for the then 'far west,' traveling in a wagon, through an almost impassable 
wilderness, with no one to share his lonely and perilous undertaking save his 
newly-made wife of but a few days. The land he spent his last days on was 
bought by him at three dollars per acre in about 1830. In 1880 much of the 
timber on it could not be counted too high at one hundred dollars per acre. 
At his death he was worth about seventy-five thousand dollars. He was not 
a church member, but was known for his deeds of kindness and benevolence 
among the poor and needy. He used to watch through the long weary hours 
of the night at the bedside of some sick neighbor; even in times of epidemics 
he chanced his life where others failed to respond. His life work was his 
best monument, for his deeds truly live in the hearts and lives of many a man 
of this county where he labored so long and ably for the good of others." 

In 1802 Solomon Smith was born on a farm in Pendleton county, Vir- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 297 

ginia, and immigrated to Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio, in the early 
settlement days. He rented land at first from Henry Coile. He was still 
living in the township in i(S8o and was upwards of the eighty-year mark. He 
was constable in Jasper township for thirty- four years. 

In the Center neighborhood of Jasper township, William Furgeson was 
the first to settle. In 1842 he bought a tract of land of Gen. James Taylor, 
of Kentucky, and removed to it the same year. 

Stephen Mitchell Irvin was counted among the first to invade Jasper 
township with a view of becoming a permanent settler. Capt. William 
Palmer preceded him but a few months. He settled in the southwestern part 
of Fayette county. His land was really in portions of Fayette, Clinton and 
Greene counties. Mr. Irvin's ancestors were from Ireland. Andrew Irvin. 
the father, was in the War of 181 2 and at the battle of Oldtowm. He died 
in 1830. The son Stephen was eight years old when the family went to Ken- 
tucky. They traveled all the w^ay in a cart drawn by a single horse. This 
was in the autumn of 1788. For many years they suffered the privations of 
frontier life. The family had come to be Calvinists and were strict Presby- 
terians in church faith. The reason of Mr. Irvin coming to Ohio was on 
account of it being a free state — he abhorred slavery and did not care to rear 
his family under its influences. Here he erected his first cabin in 1813. 
After clearing up land sufficient for a good large garden, he then set about 
planning for clearing up for farm land. He went through the same line of 
hardships which he had gone through in old Kentucky. Mills were scarce 
and far between. Hence hominy was used much for the family's food. 
This was produced by hollowing out a solid block of wood. Into this a por- 
tion of corn was placed and beat with a pestle. When finished, the hominy 
was delicious, but was not what all members of the family craved. Hills- 
borough, Highland county, was their nearest trading place. Here they 
bought their salt, groceries and dry goods. Mrs. Irvin passed from earth 
and her companion's side in 1833, aged forty-three years. This was a hard 
stroke to the head of the family. Two years later he married again and this 
wife survived her husband, who died July 25. 1852, in his seventy-second 
year. He was a man who never allowed himself to get angry. During the 
last years of his eventful life he preached nearly every Sunday. When told 
by Dr. I. C. Williams that he could not live long, he replied, "I did not think 
death was so near; but if it is God's will it is mine." 

It is impossible, at this late date, to give the locations and date of com- 
ing of many of the vanguard in this township, but suffice it to add that the 



298 FAYETTE COUNTY, OPIIO. 

majority of the men and women of Jasper who might be properly termed 
"first settlers" were from Kentucky and Virginia, and were of the best type 
of settlers. They laid well the foundation stones. 

Of the schools and churches, other chapters will treat in detail. It may, 
however, here be noted that the first school house was erected in 18 16. 

TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 

The towns and villages of Jasper township are and have been Plymouth, 
Jasper Mills, Milledgeville, Allentown, Edgefield and Pearsons. 

Plymouth, situated on the Palmer pike, is the oldest place in Jasper town- 
ship. It was platted by Robert Plogue in 1845. The first building there w^as 
built in 1845 by Garland Johnson. In 1880 this village had two blacksmith 
shops, a wagon shop, one store, one church and about seventy-five population. 
The township building was here and all elections were held therein. The 
pioneer store was kept by Garland Johnson, who opened up in 1845, but that 
year sold to James McWhorter, who, in 1846, sold the stock and building to 
E. L. Ford. In 1848 Harvey Sanderson built and engaged in trade until 
about 1849, ^^t which date he sold to E. L. Eord. 

The first blacksmith was Tate Wright, in 1845. In 1848 Daniel Blue 
opened his wagon-making shop and remained many years. 

Jasper Mills is on the list of old villages of the township. It is five miles 
to the west of Washington C. H. and was never legally laid out as a village, 
but after the finishing of the railroad in 1854, Bryan Brothers, Samuel, 
Joseph and John, bought five acres of land at that point of Jacob Bush, and 
that year erected a three-story frame grist mill, which attracted other busi- 
ness factors to the community. The place was first styled Jasper, but in 
1858 took the name of Jasper Mills, from the brand of flour shipped from 
these mills ; also on account of wanting a postofiice different from the name of 
the township. In 1859 a saw-mill was added to the industries by Bryan 
Brothers, and many years later a corn shelling mill was put in by a Mr. 
Guthrie, of Baltimore. Thirty odd years ago this mill was operated by Tol- 
bert & Company, of Washington C. H., and they carried on an extensive 
business in shipping grain from the township to the various markets. 

John S. Burnett, in 1859, in company with Samuel Bryan, started a 
general store there. Later the style of the firm was Beatty & Bryan, who 
continued until 1861, when the business was sold to Dr. Degraot, who a year 
later lost all by fire. In 1863 J. L. Mark rebuilt on the site of the old store 
and handled groceries and dry goods till 1871, then sold to J. S. Burnett and 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 299 

A. E. Silcott, who were succeeded by Miller & Clark, who failed in less than 
one year. Following came Charles L. Bush. 

The pioneer blacksmith was Joseph Parkison in 1857, who remained 
until 1870 and sold out. In 1880 a wagon shop was started by Charles W. 
Hyer, and a shoe shop by Richard Smith the same year. 

With the change in times, the building of roads and pikes and additional 
railroad facilities, these small villages have been almost erased from the map 
of Fayette county. 

Allentovvn, otherwise known as Octa, is a station point of the Dayton & 
Southeastern railroad, at its junction with the Cincinnati, Wooster & Chicago 
railroad. It was laid out by Elijah Allen, after whom it took its name, Allen- 
town, but for postal reasons was subsequently caled Octa. William Allen 
purchased the first lot, on which he built the first building. In 1877 a grocery 
was opened by John Rankin, who in a year or so sold to George Hinkle, who 
closed it out in 1879. In 1880 Alfred Methews and Mr. Glass brought in a 
stock and remained many years. It was also in 1880 that Frank Stone opened 
a hotel. F. C. Trebein, of Xenia, in 1880, built a large frame elevator in 
which he fixed a set of burrs for corn grinding. 

In 1910 the population of Allentown (Octa) was ninety-one. Its busi- 
ness interests consisted of: General stores by T. W. and Milton Murphy, 
brothers; John Stemmitz ; an elevator by John Parker: a carpenter, named 
Will Stevens, and the postoffice. 

There is a Methodist church at this village, but no lodges. 

The following have served as postmasters at Octa since the office was 
established in April. 1882: H. B. Barnes, appointed April 18, 188-2; George 
W. Riley, October 24, 1882; John Rankin, June 20, 1884; R. R. Clemer, De- 
cember II, 1885 ; Gail Hamilton, July 26, 1886; U. G. Rankin, July 12, 1898; 
E. W. Allen, July 25, 1903; M. W. Johnson, September 22, 1904; C. S. 
Kelley, September 18, 1905; I. W. Murphy. September 24, 1906; Lottie 
Harmon, May 16, 19 14. 

Milledgeville, which place in 19 10 had a population of one hundred and 
eighty-seven, is at a point in Jasper township, one mile north from old village 
of Plymouth on the Chicago, Hammond &: Detroit railroad. It was laid 
out in 1855 by James Hogue. The first building here was the Milledgeville 
mill, built in 1855 by Straley, Creamer & Company. The first store was that 
of Jacob Creamer in 1856. The first brick store room was that of G. L. 
McAllister, in 1879. The Lamb & Murphy brick block was built in 1880. 
In 1878 a grocery was established by J. T. Hiser. C. M. Bush opened his 
hotel here in 1879, and sold to Joseph Rush. In 1881 Doctor Spangler 



3UO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

bought the property and refitted the same. Doctor Culy was the first doctor 
of the village, he locating in Milledgeville in 1863. Prior to 1871 a shoe 
shop and a wagon shop were in operation. In an account of the village in 
1 88 1 it is found that at that date the business of Milledgeville consisted of one 
mill, two groceries, one hotel, two doctors, one boot and shoe store, one 
restaurant, a postoffice, and one large store owned by Lamb, Murphy & Com- 
panv, who handled dry goods, groceries, hardware, drugs, boots and shoes, 
queensware and farm implements. 

The present standing of Milledgeville is about as follows : Its popula- 
tion is one hundred and eighty-seven. The interests include these : Milledge- 
ville bank ; Acton Brothers, clothing and shoes ; Charles B. Hooker and A. 
H. Lamar, restaurants ; Fred Warning, hardware ; Gidding Brothers, grain 
and lumber; Elmer M. Allen, coal dealer; Fred Warning, harness; Acton 
Brothers and W. H. Chamberlin, groceries ; Drs. J. R. Adams and A. N. 
Vandeman, physicians. The churches are the Methodist Protestant and 
Baptist denominations. 

The various postmasters serving here since the ofiice was established 
are as follows : When it was "South Plymouth" they were E. L. Ford, 
August 26, 1852; John F. Hiser, June 11, 1874. Name now changed to 
Milledgeville: Smith Rankin, appointed February 9, 1877; G. L. McAllister, 
November 3, 1881 ; J. A. Murphy, August 21, 1885; H. C. Weimer, July 10. 
1889; J. M. Acton, June 23, 1893; H. W. Jones. September 11, 1897; James 
Armstrong* September 6, 1901 ; H. P. Acton, January 14, 1905; Pearl L. 
Barnes, January 22, 1908; Henry W. Jones, May 28, 1908; Henry Pearson, 
May 4, 1912. 

Seldon Station is on the Baltimore 8z Ohio railroad, in the southeast 
portion of Jasper township, and is a small trading station. 

Cunningham Station, on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, is 
in the northeastern section of this township. 

Jasper Station and Glenden are each small stations on the Baltimore & 
Ohio and Pennsylvania lines, in the southern part of Jasper township. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



CONCORD TOWNSHIP. 



Concord township, in the southwestern part of Fayette county, is 
bounded on its north, east and south by townships of this county, while at its 
west is Chnton county. The dividing Hue between Union township and this 
township is Sugar creek. Rattlesnake creek divides Concord into two almost 
equal parts. As to the organization of the township, this is fully set forth 
elsewhere in this work. 

Just who the first settlers were here is not known for any degree of cer- 
tainty, but it is certain that one of the most important pioneers was John 
Wright, who emigrated to the Scioto valley in 1798, settling on the waters 
of Paint creek with his family. There he resided until 1807, then married 
and in 1808 removed with his bride to Fayette, locating in this township, on 
Sugar creek. He was a soldier in the War of 181 2, being commanded by 
Captain Kilgore and Gen. William H. Harrison, under a draft for the forty- 
days service. Later he went out among the men who volunteered under the 
general call for troops. He was a thorough-going farmer, cleared up much 
land in this county and was elected trustee and enjoyed the respect and love 
of all who knew him. 

Peter Marks was born in Pennsylvania. In 1806 the family left their 
native state and settled at Oldtown (now Frankfort), Ross county, Ohio. 
In 181 5 Marks bought about two hundred and forty acres of land in Con- 
cord township, this county, near the village of Jasper Mills. He was com- 
pelled to re-purchase his land, as it was claimed to be that of an officer of the 
Revolutionary War. A son of Peter Marks, Joseph, in 1828, erected a small 
cabin on the Washington and Staunton road. He resided there practically 
the remainder of his days. There was no habitation between his cabin and 
Buena Pista, and but three on the road running to Washington C. H., the 
whole country consisting of dense forest and underbrush. He cast his first 
vote for Andrew Jackson for President in 1822. 

A little before the arrival of John Wright, the family of George Moore 
came in from Kentucky, locating on Sugar creek, a mile and a half south- 
east of the Wright settlement. The names of two sons now recalled are 



302 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Ezekiel. who served in the War of t8i2, and Thomas, who died of the dread 
milk sickness. The remainder of this family removed to Indiana in either 
1820 or 1821. 

Just prior to the organization of this county, Thomas Gilbert settled on 
w'hat was later styled the Ingle farm. He moved west later. 

Thomas Foster occupied the old Elias Priddy farm, but, becoming dis- 
satisfied with the new country here, returned to Kentucky. 

In the fall of 1808 David Wright, brother of John Wright, erected a 
small cabin on a little knoll, situated on land later known as the Jasper Wright 
place. 

Other pioneers of Concord township were : Daniel Carmine, who came 
before 1812, was a hard-working settler, and reared a large, honorable fam- 
ily: James Maddox, who located on Sugar creek; Leonard Bush, Sr., Berry- 
man Allen and Eli West. 

SUNDRY INCIDENTS. 

A former historical collection for Fayette county gives the following on 
€arly days in Concord : 

Of the wife of John Wright, it is said that she was a woman of enter- 
prise, industry and business habits. During the War of 181 2, her husband 
being a soldier in that campaign, she, with the help of a small boy. cultivated 
and gathered nine acres of corn, amounting to four hundred bushels; the 
boy plowed while she hoed. According to a pioneer superstition, in order 
to raise flax successfully it was necessary to sow the seed on Good Friday. 
In the year above mentioned, Mr. Wright had the ground broken ready for 
seeding on the day preceding. During the night snow fell to the depth of 
six inches. The lady was very much troubled upon making this discovery, 
but, nothing daunted, dressed herself warmly, and proceeded to seed the 
ground through the snow. The result was satisfactory and the old lady 
often boasted of the wonderful crop she raised by sowing flaxseed on Good 
Friday. 

Mrs. Moore, well known in early days, desiring to visit Kentucky, her 
native state, engaged a horse of John Wright, for the use of which she was 
to have the animal shod and bring the owner a quart of apple seeds. The 
contract was carried out to the letter, and from the seed planted the first 
orchard in southern Fayette county sprung. 

Jeremiah Dunn was the first person to die in the neighborhood. In the 
absence of grave-yard or coffin it was decided to wrap the remains in a 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



303 



blanket and bury them in an old Indian burying ground, on the east bank of 
Paint creek. 

Caleb Wright, who came to Fayette county about 1807, was at the time 
a single man and when the War of 181 2 was declared by Congress, he volun- 
teered as an Indian spy. He continued in that critical and dangerous 
capacity, traversing hills, plains, valleys and swamps for one year, feeding 
on wild meat, hiding in the black swamps, and continually encountering the 
most imminent perils to which his peculiar occupation exposed him. 

T. H. Maddox, son of James Maddox, the old settler, is said to have 
been the first blacksmith in this township. He was a class leader in the 
Methodist Episcopal church and a licensed preacher of the United Brethren 
denomination at one time. 

The first millwright and carpenter was O. H. Wright. 

The first justice of the peace in Concord township was Williani Thomp- 
son. 

John B. Rowe, in the immediate vicinity of Staunton, was a famous 
hunter. He was never known to say that he had killed Indians, but had seen 
them "get down from fences," "lie down at the root of trees," or some such 
expression, indicating that he might have hurt them. In early days the occu- 
pation of hunter and trapper was quite common and very profitable. 

MILLS OF THE T0WN.SHIP. 

The first grist-mill and saw-mill, as well as the first distillery, was built 
on Sugar creek by Adam Taylor. The lands were low and wet, and of 
course fever and ague were a common disease, which were supposed to be 
readily cured by frequent drinks of licpior. The old still was a favorite re- 
sort for many an old settler. Taykor afterward became involved, abandoned 
his place and moved west. The mill was never operated after his departure, 
and scores of years ago was washed down by the floods of Sugar creek. 
Prior to this mill the settlers carried their grain to "horse mills" at Washing- 
ton C. H. and Sabina. 

VILLAGE OF STAUNTON. 

This is Concord township's only village. It is located in the northeast 
part of the township, within a mile of Sugar creek, close to Hankin's run. 
The village was platted in 1848. The county records show the following 
concerning Staunton's origin : 

"Whereas, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned, that 



304 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

there shall be a town laid out and established in Concord township, Fayette 
county, and state of Ohio, at the place where the village of Staunton is now 
situate, so as to include said village. And inasmuch as the undersigned are 
all interested, each one owning a part of the premises upon which it is intended 
to locate said town, and will be mutually benefited thereby, and in order to 
have the proper accomplishment of said purpose, have entered into and signed 
an agreement in writing in substance as follows : 

"Staunton, Fayette County, Ohio, 

"September 5, 1849. 

"We, the undersigned, citizens of the above place and vicinity, do hereby 
agree to sign and properly execute such instruments as may be drawn up 
by a competent attorney-at-law, providing for the establishment of a town 
at the above place, and to appoint three commissioners for the purpose of 
carrying this matter into effect. They are instructed to run two rows of lots 
and one street on each side of the State road, and as many cross streets and 
alleys, as they may deem necessary, the principal streets to run east and west, 
parallel with said State road. The commissioners are further instructed to 
pay due regard to the buildings now up ; to take into consideration the advan- 
tages and disadvantages of each individual concerned, etc. 

(Signatures) "Willis Rowe, John Stukey, James Holbrook, William 
Craig, Stroder Evans, P. F. Johnson, David M. Terry, Jonathan Burgess, 
David Pollock, William Pong, James N. Flannagen, Charles Van Pelt, Will- 
iam Heller, Jesse Rowe, Jacob Jamison ( provided a street runs through his 
lot, the commissioners are to value his lot and he is to be paid for it if he 
wishes to sell), Thomas J. Craig, Thomas McCorcle, D. S. Craig." 

In September of that year the following commissioners were duly ap- 
pointed : Daniel McLean, Micajah Draper and John S. Burnett. The 
original survey was made November 25, 1849, by John L. Burnett. Other 
territory was later added. 

There had been quite a village started before this act, and this was 
simply to give form and shape and permanent order for a village proper. 

Thomas J. Craig entered this locality from Greenfield, in 1842, and was 
the first to open a general country store. 

As early as 1835 a blacksmith shop was started by Michael Marks, who 
years later sold to Caleb Wright. The second store of the village was estab- 
lished by John Webster. Year after year, when railroads were being pro- 
jected, the citizens here attempted to secure a railroad, but all attempts were 
marked with failure. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 305 

In 1880 this village had a population of about one hundred and twenty- 
five souls, and business was conducted as follows : Groceries, notions, etc., 
William Long, Henry Limes, T. J. Craig; blacksmithing, K. B. Cole and 
William Dimon; wagon shop, John Rustler; boot and shoe shop, William 
Bay, James Holbrook; physician. Doctor McAffee. 

Coming down to the present time (1914), it may be said that Staun- 
ton has a population of less than one hundred, and the business is confined 
to a couple of general merchandise stores and a few shops. This was an- 
other of the original towns of Fayette county that the railroad era materially 
injured. 



(JO) 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 



Originally Green township embraced all of Concord and parts of Jasper 
and Perry townships. It is bounded on the north and east by Concord and 
Perry townships, on the south by Highland county and on the west by Clinton 
county. It is therefore the southeastern sub-division of Fayette county. 
It is one of, if not the least, of all the townships in this county. Rattlesnake 
creek enters survey No. 5348, llows southeast to survey 3986, thence south 
to the county line. Lee's creek has its source in Concord township, thence 
flows to the southeast, entering Green township in survey No. 5349, then 
south, crossing the entire township, entering Plighland county. The soil is 
generally a black loam, which has been extensively drained, and is now highly 
productive for any crops raised in this part of the state. 

Concord, Green and Perry townships are the only sub-divisions in Fay- 
ette county not having the advantages of railroad facilities. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The population in 19 10 of this township was six hundred and ninety- 
four, but the reader is turned back to 1807, when Jesse Rowe made his advent 
into this county. Aside from numerous stragglers, trappers and hunters, he 
was beyond doubt the first man to invade this township with a view of be- 
coming a permanent settler. He emigrated from Virginia to Ross county, 
Ohio, in 1803, with his family of nine children, John, Jesse, Jr., William, 
James, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, Susan and Sarah. He located on the Little 
Wabash, the old homestead, in 1807. Shortly after the organization of 
Fayette county in 1810, he was chosen a justice of the peace, serving for four 
full terms ; also held the trustee and other township offices. He was a class 
leader and exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal church to the close of his 
earthly career, the first class meeting in all his section of the country having 
been held at his cabin home in Green township. In his will he left a liberal 
sum to go towards the interests of the church he loved so well and labored 
in lifetime to build up in Fayette county. At a ripe old age, in 1845, he died. 
He had served his country in the days of the Revolutionary struggle. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 307 

John Rowe, eldest son of the first settler, settled on land given him by 
the father, near the old home, and he became the father of eleven children. 
He took active part in the War of 1812, and held many important local 
offices. He died in 1863, an honored citizen. 

Jesse Rowe, Jr.. settled in Green township, but removed to Concord at 
the end of five years. He was a township trustee, and after the surrender of 
General Hull, volunteered to defend his country, under Gen. Batteal Harrison. 

William Rowe removed to Ross county, Ohio. 

James Rowe moved to the South at an early date. He was a minister 
of the Gospel, located at Huntsville, Alabama, married and attended select 
school. At the division of the church over the slavery question, he sided 
with the South, preaching up to the outbreaking of the Civil War, when he 
came north, where he remained till the war ended, then returned to Georgia, 
where he subsequently died. 

The remaining children of Jesse Rowe, Sr., filled honorable stations in 
life and some of their descendants are still living in Fayette county. 

Thomas Moon, Sr., was another prominent pioneer, who emigrated from 
Virginia to Ohio in 1810, with his family, consisting of James, John, Jacob, 
Christine, Jane, David, William, Margaret, and Thomas, Jr., and settled on 
Rattlesnake creek. In religion he was a Quaker (Friend) and honestly 
opposed to all wars, which accounts for his not being a soldier in the 
Revolutionary struggle and the later Indian wars. He bought lands in 
Green township, called the dividing ridge, on which he erected the first flour- 
ing mill and distillery in the township and, so far as is known to the writer, in 
the entire county of Fayette. His place soon came to be a favorite resort 
for customers. His flour was good, and possibly his whisky was equally 
pure and seemed good to take, in those days. 

In all, the old gentleman had purchased eleven hundred acres, five of 
which lay in Highland county. His Fayette lands were all situated in the 
big woods. The cabin was erected and had a genuine puncheon floor, clap- 
board roof, fire-place made of split sticks and a stick chimney. In one week's 
time he cleared four acres of his heavy timber land, and in the autumn fol- 
lowing cleared six additional acres, which he sowed to wheat. Wolves and 
game abounded on every hand. Squirrels came in endless droves and were 
so thick that he was compelled to feed them outside the fences, to prevent 
his crops from being totally ruined. He died in 1828, aged seventy-one 
years. He had held several offices and stood high in the county. 



308 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

John D. Moon was a good school teacher, for those days, and served 
under old General Jackson at New Orleans. 

Jacoh Moon located on Rattlesnake creek, farmed and was a soldier in 
the War of 1812. 

Capt. Thomas Moon resided on the old homestead, running the mill 
and carrying on farming extensively. He served five years as captain of 
the militia, and died aged seventy-five years. 

The other sons and daughters kept good the family name. 

In 1 81 8 came David Davis from Highland county, to which place he had 
immigrated in 181 7 from Pennsyh'ania, where he was born in 1785. The 
first }'ear in this township he rented land of John Garrett, then purchased 
fifty acres, and there built him a cabin. He had eight children as follows : 
]\Iary. Branson, Nancy, William, David, Catherine, Hannah and Melissa. 
At his death in 1855 he possessed a hundred and sixty acres of land, later 
occupied by his son Branson. 

PIONEER SKETCHES. 

Fayette county is full of rare and interesting incidents happening in the 
long ago when all was new and wild in this section of Ohio. The subjoined 
illustrates what is meant by this : 

Edward Smith, Sr., entered lands on the banks -of Paint creek, known 
as East fork, in 1810. His land was heavily covered with timber. A wig- 
wam served for a domicile by night and a shelter from beasts and the pelting 
storms. He started to clear his land for raising a crop,— the first thing in 
the mind of every early settler, — but the news of the w^ar caused him to drop 
his axe and grasp his rifie and go forth in defense of his country. Peace 
having been declared, he again swung tlie axe in that green, glad solitude. 
One night, returning from the county seat, he discovered the creek out of its 
banks, Ijut rode in fearlessly and was thrown from his horse and drowned. 

A story is told of Alexander Cupper, dating back to 1783, which is in 
substance as follows : Cupper and famous old Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, 
were taken prisoners at the Three Islands by the Indians. When within 
seven miles of Qldtown, Boone contri\ed to escape, but Cupper was then all 
the more closely guarded b}' the savages. He was taken to towm, tried by 
Indian council and condemned to the stake. Confined in a structure and 
guarded by two powerful Indians, no escape seemed in sight for him. The 
night previous to the intended burning at the stake, he was ordered to run 
the gauntlet down the rows of savages. Cupper sped dow'u the line a short 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 309 

distance, broke through. left his pursuers far behind, and, burving himself 
in the deep forest tanglewood of the then wildest portion of what is now 
Concord township, this county, took refuge on the banks of the Little 
Wabash, whence he safely made his way to Three Islands on the Ohio river. 
In 1810 George Kneedler settled in the dense forests of this township on 
the waters of the Rattlesnake creek. His father was a soldier under General 
Washington, in the Revolutionary War, and, true to the example set by a 
worthy sire, the son was an active participant in the War of 1812. 

William Johnson left his native state, Virginia, in 1810, removing to 
Ross county. Ohio, in company with Judge McCracken. He located on 
Paint creek, where he remained till 1816, when his family consisted of a 
wife and children as follows: Anna, Thomas, George, Sarah and \\^illiam 
Henry. He bought a hundred acres of the place later known as the Levi 
Bryant farm of Jesse Rowe. Here he commenced to make his improve- 
ments. He died in 1833 possessed of five hundred acres, all well improved. 
The nearest neighbors of the Johnsons were John Rowe, John Draper, 
and a second John Draper who lived on Rattlesnake creek. It is told for a 
truth that children were in the habit of going five miles to play with "neigh- 
bor's children." 

The southwest part of Green township was settled by Virginian emi- 
grants and North Carolinians, all members of the Friends church or society, 
usually denominated Quakers. The first were James Smith, who located in 
the extreme corner of survey No. 1082, and Enos Haines, a portion of the 
lands adjoining the Clinton county line. 

In 1823 came Z. Morris from his old Virginia home— his birth place. 
He was accompanied by his brother Isaac. The first named located on a 
hundred-acre tract of land bought of Daniel Burress. There he was still re- 
siding in 1 88 1, the happy possessor of over three hundred acres, all well im- 
proved and much of it tilled annually. 

Other settlers were William Bankson, Joshua Haines, Philip Barger, one 
of the very first settlers of this township, Enos Reeder, Edmund and James 
McVey, all Quakers and excellent citizens. The descendants of these pioneer 
families are still holding lands entered and bought by their forefathers in this 
township. 

MOONS. 

Moons is the only village within the township. It was once known as 
Buena Vista and still earlier as "Goatsville," which happened on account of 
?o many Dunkards residing there, that some wag said they reminded him. 



310 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

with their long hair, of a lot of goats. It is located in a part of survey No. 
3987, near Rattlesnake creek. In 1880 it had a population of about one hun- 
dred and twenty-five, which has been increased to two hundred since that 
date. The township and village have six hundred and ninety-four inhab- 
itants. 

It was in 1832 when John \V. Simpson and Stephen Tudor came to this 
location to buy land. The former bought a lot of James Larkins, and the 
latter took other land. The main street was at that time a so-called town- 
ship road, but the next year was changed to a state road. Simpson returned 
to Highland county and married, then came back, erected a small cabin, and 
removed thereto. This was evidently couple No. i to settle as man and wife 
in old Buena Vista, now known as Moons. 

Stephen Tudor, a carpenter, remained in the new settlement until 1835, 
then sold, William Moon finally getting the land he had lived upon. John 
Simpson opened the first store in Buena Vista and frequently refused to sell 
as many yards of calico as a lady asked for, on the theory that it never paid 
to be entirely out of any given article. Early dealers here were Bell & 
Jenkins, of ^Vashington, Isaac Tracy, Messrs. Moon, Vickers and Silas Iron. 

The first blacksmith was Thomas Dowden ; James McKinney was also an 
early workman at the glowing forge in this village. William Blair con- 
ducted a combined shoe shop and whisky-selling place. 

The first physician was Doctor McKinney, this being his first place to 
practice his profession, and he succeeded remarkably well, it is said by old 
timers. Moons is now a mere hamlet, with but little business. 

MILLS AND DISTILLERIES. 

Thomas Moon was the first person to distill liquor in this township. 
Abraham Crispin started another distillery a few^ years later. 

Thomas Moon also operated the first flouring mill in this section of 
Fayette county. It was, of course, the first duty of a settler to build him a 
cabin home in which his family might be safe from the wild beasts that 
roamed throughout the forest ; next he must needs clear land and plant a 
small crop on which to sustain life, till more improvements could be made. 
When harvest time came there was indeed much joy in the family circle. But 
soon another obstacle presented itself to the settler. How^ was he to con- 
vert his ripened grain — corn and wheat — into meal and flour? Steam mills 
were not known here then. Water mills were a long distance apart, so "horse 
mills" were employed. Most townships had what was known as treadmill. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 3II 

but not at first, so farmers had to go quite a distance "to mill" as they called 
it. Some went to Springfield, where there was a good water mill in opera- 
tion. When the canal was constructed via Chillicothe, it appeared a bless- 
ing, for it was then only thirty miles to mill. The building of the Moon 
mill was a great boon to all within the radius of many miles. 

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 

The first shoemaker in Green township was David Bradshaw, who set 
up shop in 18 1 7. Before that the settlers had to go barefooted or wear 
moccasins. 

The first marriage was that uniting, on January 7, 181 1, David Moon 
and Mary Ellis. A justice of the peace named Ralph Stout was the 'squire 
who performed the ceremony. 

Thieves and robbers infested this as well as other parts of this county 
at an early day. Most all the pioneers came in from Virginia. They stood 
on their rights and were honorable. But other settlers were from other 
states and disposed to pilfer and lived in partial idleness — living off of the 
more honorable people of the community. Horses, cattle and hogs were 
frequently stolen. Padlocks had to be placed on out-house doors. One 
William Johnson was in the habit of fastening his doors this way every 
night. One night his son closed the door, but neglected to attach the pad- 
lock. He was sent back to do so, and upon approaching the stable was sur- 
prised to see a strange horse tied near the door. He was entering the door 
when a man mounted the horse and was off like a flash, but luckily he was 
caught in the act and the horse was restored. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



On the south hne of the county, to the east of Concord and Green town- 
ships, is Perry township, which up to 1845 was a part of Wayne and Green 
townships. The settlement here reaches back ahnost as far as any within 
Fayette county — to 1804. Perry was organized in 1845, the first officers 
being as follows : Trustees, Joseph Wain, William Wilson, Albert Adams ; 
treasurer, James Mooney; clerk, Lewis Todhunter; constables, John F. 
Doster and Jonathan Jones; justices of the peace, Thomas Ellis and Robert 
Eyer. The population at this date is nine hundred and thirty. Martins- 
burg is the only village within the township and that contains about two 
hundred and fifty people. The hamlet of Walton contains sixty. 

SETTLEMENT. 

It is generally conceded that the first white settler in this township was 
Jonathan Wright, who in 1796 emigrated from Kentucky to Chillicothe, 
Ohio, where he remained until 1804, squatting on land within the present 
limits of Perry township, which belonged to C. Monroe of Virginia, who 
■owned military tract No. 658, consisting of two thousand acres granted for 
military services as an officer in the Revolutionary war. Wright remained 
on this land until the year following, then moved to Wayne township, where 
shortly afterward he died. 

John Buck was the next settler. He came from Virginia in 1805, 
bought a part of the Monroe claim, and there lived until his death in 1830. 

Isaac Todhunter, of the society of Friends, emigrated from Tennessee 
by reason 'of his hatred for slavery. In December, 1804, he stopped with 
his sons, Isaac and Richard, who had come in the spring before and squatted 
on a small prairie, the site of Leesburg, Highland county, where they had 
succeeded in raising a small field of corn on which to support the family the 
first year. The next year Mr. Todhunter purchased twelve hundred acres of 
Nathaniel Massie (survey No. 2620), on Walnut creek, in the southwest part 
of the township. Immediately he sold six hundred acres to Thomas and 
Mordecai Ellis, of Tennessee, who at once located themselves on their land. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 313 

David Diitton, also of the Quaker faith and from the same place in 
Tennessee, soon made his settlement in this township, near these original 
settlers. Isaac Todhnnter remained on his land until death in 1821, his wife 
sur\'i\ing him ten years. 

A former historic account of the settlement of Fayette county gives the 
following on the experience of one of the pioneers, Abner Todhunter, of 
Perry township : 

About 1806, when the sight of an Indian presaged bloodshed and horrid 
torture, Abner, a youth of fifteen, was sitting in his father's cabin with 
several younger children, the father and mother being absent on a visit, when 
he observed six painted savages approaching on horseback. Though ac- 
customed to danger, he felt his hair begin to raise as the warriors dismounted 
and entered the house. With that presence of mind, however, produced by 
long exposure to danger and sudden alarms, he received them calmly and, 
remembering their characteristic gratitude, he invited them to sit down and 
placed before them the best of the larder, and then retired while they enjoyed 
the repast. When they had finished, one of the band arose and approached 
him, which a second time almost paralyzed him with fear and caused his hair 
again to stand up stiff. Giving himself up for lost, he tremblingly awaited 
the issue; but instead of cleaving his head with a tomahawk, or circling his 
body with his knife, and rather than scalping him, he allayed his dreadful 
fears by kindly patting him on the head, exclaiming, "White man heap good, 
feed Indian," and, mounting their horses, they rode off, much to the relief 
of the frightened youth. 

Samuel and Warnel Tracy were among the earlier pioneers in Perry. 
Thev arrived from Maryland in 1807, settling on land later occupied by T. G. 
Cockerill and Joseph Tracy. 

Robert Adams came about 1808, from Pennsylvania, settling on five 
hundred acres which he bought in Ball's survey. 

Barnabus Cochran, born in Cape May, New Jersey, in 1773, came to 
Perry township in 1806, settling on land bought from Seth Smith. He 
early founded Methodism in this section of the county and from his efforts 
came Cochran Chapel. 

Another Quaker, John Hutton, in 1810 emigrated from Beaver county, 
Pennsvlvania, settling on land later known as the Calvin Beatty place, to 
whom he sold his interests in 1822 and moved to Clarke county. 

John Daster, a native of Frederick county, Virginia, emigrated to 
Chillicothe, Ohio, in 18 10, remained three months and bought land in the 



^I,| FAYETTK COUNTY, OHIO. 

McKee snivcy, ui Seth Smith, McKee's agent. He died in 1840, some years 
after he lost his wife. 

Another Virginian was Henry Snyder, who came from that state in 
1 8 10, purchasing land of Samuel Waddle. 

In 1813 the Connor and Voltenburg families squatted in Perry town- 
ship. Conner operated a small distillery on the banks of Paint creek. Both 
families left in 1825 and were never heard of afterward. 

Jn 18 12 Samuel Edwards came in from Ross county, purchasing con- 
siderable land in this township. 

A South Carolinian named Robert Iron, when aged twenty years, emi- 
grated to western Virginia, where he followed surveying for seven years, 
locating claims for soldiers of the Revolutionary War. He then located in 
Brown county, Ohio, then moved to Pickaway, settling in Fayette county, in 
1814, on lands purchased from Thomas Hine, located on the banks of Sugar 
creek in Perry township. He sold to William Snyder in 1848. He was 
the father of sixteen children by one marriage. He was in all married four 
times, and died at his daughter's, in Highland county, in 1848. 

John Orr, Sr., a native of Virginia, moved first to Kentucky, and in 
1817 to Fayette county, Ohio. He first claimed land in Wayne township. 
Of William Bush he bought land situated in Perry township, at the crossing 
of the Alartinsburg pike, to which he removed in the spring of 1819. He 
died in May, 1856. 

Some time before 18 18 came John Beard, who owned land and remained 
until his death in 1821. 

Robert Anderson, another prominent factor in the early settlement of 
Perry township, was a native of Virginia, near the James river, where he 
was born in 1795. In 1818 he emigrated to Buckskin, Ross county, Ohio. 
In 1819 he came to Perry township, this county, the same year marrying 
Sarah Rowe, daughter of Jesse Rowe, Sr., who gave the young couple on the 
day of marriage one hundred acres of good land. He succeeded and before 
his death he owned over one thousand acres. He willed much of his estate 
and deeded much more to his sons and daughters. Mathew, a son, inherited 
the old homestead on Little Wabash, in the northern part of Perry township. 
He was a most exemplary Christian and did much for his Master. He was 
one of the original members of the Methodist Episcopal church society at 
Rowe's chapel. He was a soldier in the War of 181 2. Death claimed him 
in 1878. 

Robert Scott, a Pennsylvanian, came to the township in 1820, locating 
on the Little Wabash. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 315 

William S. Cockerill, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, born in 
December, 1790, emigrated to Ohio in 181 2, first settling on the Ohio river, 
but in 1 82 1 came to Perry township, purchased land of John Rowe, son of 
Jesse. Sr., and a year later sold and re-located on the Little Wabash. He 
was four times married and the father of eighteen children, nine by each 
of his first two wives. He was a man of literary tastes and had much ability. 
In connection with his farming operations he also taught many terms of 
school. At his death he owned four hundred acres of excellent land. 

Rev. John King, one of the founders of Methodism in Fayette county, 
was born in Elmira, New Vork, in March, 1786. He married there and 
soon settled in Ross county, Ohio, where he remained until 18 16, then moved 
to Perry township, locating lands later in possession of his son. Rev. W. A. 
King, and there he died. His was a clear and certain conversion. Through- 
out his life he was never a doubter, but faithful to his call. In 1820, at his 
own house, he organized a Methodist class and was its leader a number of 
years. Bishop Soule ordained him a minister in 1834. His first wife drop- 
ped dead from her horse, while going home from church one Sabbath. He 
then married Alcina Cherry, who survived until 1878. Reverend King served 
in the War of 181 2. In his own house, in Perry township, he taught several 
winter terms of school, charging nothing for tuition. He died on his farm 
in 1868, mourned by the whole township and county. 

Gershom Perdue was born in Virginia in 1790, of French ancestry. 
His father died when he was a youth and he lived with his mother until 
eighteen years of age, then went to learn the trade of a tanner. He operated 
a tannery in Highland county, Ohio, a number of years; also conducted a 
mercantile business. He was the first nurseryman in southern Ohio, having 
established a nursery at Leesburg in 1816. In 1836. with his family, he 
removed to New Martinsburg, Fayette county, where he lived until his death, 
at a very advanced age. He was of great value to the church of his choice, 
the Christian denomination. 

MILLING INTERESTS OF LONG AGO. 

The hardship of the early settlers getting suitable conveniences for 
grinding corn and wheat here as well as in other sections of Fayette county 
added to the other trials of the hardy pioneer band. First, the block and 
pestle was employed ; then came the stone and hand mills, which methods 
have been described elsewhere in the general early settlement chapters of 
this volume. 



»3l6 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

The advent of the first water mill system in Perry township was in 
1816, the mill being built by Thomas Stout, on the Little Wabash, near the 
crossing of the Martinsburg pike. This was only a small mill and only did 
grinding a few years. 

In 181 5 Henry Snyder built a saw-mill on Sugar creek, to which, in 
18 18, he attached a grist-mill, both being run until the spring of 1832, when 
the dam was washed away. The mill was sold to Nicholas Kline, who moved 
its parts away and the machinery finally found its way into 'the Sturgeon 
mills. In 1837 Kline sold both mills to Samuel Briggs, who soon tore them 
down, and erected better, larger mills in their stead. 

The first to open a blacksmith shop was John Painter, in 1832, on land 
later owned by Ely Wilson. He continued until 1838, when he moved to 
Union township. 

In 1835 a colored man named Thomas Waldron built a shop and re- 
mained six years. The tools were moved by his son to Wayne township, 
where he operated another shop which was of great benefit to the early set- 
tlers in that part of the county. This trade was of more use then than in 
later years when so many things are made by machinery, which then had to 
be forged out by hard blows on the smithy's anvil. 

Aside from Martinslmrg, the only store of general merchandise in 
Perry township was the one opened by John Orr, Jr., in 1841, in one end 
of his dwelling. In 185 1 he erected a large frame store room, continuing 
until 1856, when he closed up and rented his room to Grove & Craig. Other 
changes obtained and in a year or two the stock was removed to Highland 
county. 

NEW MARTINSBURG. 

Originally called "Martinsburg," New ]\Iartinsburg is located on the 
Martinsburg and Washington turnpike, at the crossing of the Greenfield and 
Sabina pike. It was laid out by Thomas Ellis n 1831. The first house was 
erected there by Thomas Ellis, Jr. In 1880 New Martinsburg had a popula- 
tion of about two hundred souls. Its 1910 figures were, according to United 
States reports, about two hundred and fifty. 

A postoffice was established here in 1851, with Gersham Perdue as post- 
master, who retained the office fifteen years, and was succeeded successively 
by J. W. Kneedler, E. W. Welsheimer, Jacob Perdue, J. W. Barnett, Dr. 
J. S. lones and others in the last twenty years and more. 

In brief, the business interests of this village have been as follows : 
James and Thomas Ellis opened the first store soon after the platting of the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 317 

village, and remained in trade only a brief time. The second to embark 
in trade was Joseph Patterson, followed by Robert Buck, of Greenfield, in 
1836. Daniel Marsh followed him in two years, then sold to William Wil- 
son, who continued ten years. In 1838 Richard L. Williams opened a store 
and continued during all the years down to 1878, when his death occurred, 
his goods being sold by his executor. In 1839 William and Isaac Coffe 
brought in a stock from Warren county. Two years later Mr. Perdue 
bought the last named stock and continued several years, having as a partner, 
part of the period, Henry Daster. With some firm changes, this stock was 
carried until 1852, when Perdue sold to Z. Adams, and he remo\'ed the stock 
to Leesburg. 

In 1846 Trustin Adams started in the Buck building, and was succeeded 
by Edward Lanum in 1850. 

Robinson & Siolcott, of Washington C. H., opened a general merchandise 
store here in 1869, i)lacing Jacob Perdue in management of the same. It 
was sold three years later to Welsheimer & Ellis, which firm later was 
changed to Ellis & Son. 

Dr. J. S. Jones bought the stock that had been sold by R. L. Williams. 

The blacksmiths have been numerous. Those pounding at the anvil 
from the first down to 1880 were James McKinney, 1833: Jacob Gallinger 
in 1834 and remained many years; William Wasson lighted his glowing 
forge in 1841 and wielded the sledge until 1861 ; Isaac Smith came in 1865. 

The pioneer wagon shop was opened by Llewellyn Griffith in 1834; 
James Ellis in 1840; William Fishback carried on a shop from 1843 to 1855; 
AVilliam Barrett opened a carriage and wagon shop in 1868, continuing until 
1874. In 1880 William Barrett was carrying on a shop in connection with 
the undertaking business. 

The hotel business was in the hands of Llewellyn Griffith from 1834 to 
1838. John Lucas kept a hotel from 1878 to 1880. 

A tannery was established in 1848 by Thomas Saunders, connected with 
his harness trade, and continued for ten years. In 1853 James Ellis started 
a tannery, continuing six years. 

The first shoe shop was that opened by David Jones. 

Undertaking was carried on by David Barrett and Reese Binegar, each 
having an establishment in 1870 and were there many years. 

Thomas Fishback started a saw-mill in 1845 ^^'^^ the same mill was 
being operated by him forty years later. 

A carding mill and oil works were put in operation at Alartinsburg in 



3l8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

1839 by Thomas Fishback. He did an extensive business a number of 
years. 

The present commercial interests at New Martinsburg are confined to a 
few stores, and the village, with many other inland places, a few years ago 
was bereft of postoffice advantages by being placed on the rural free delivery 
route from Washington C. H. The churches and schools will be mentioned 
in general chapters on these topics. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 



From the fact that Wayne township, the southeastern in this county, 
was next to Ross county, and that several of the Ross county pioneers moved 
across the border at a very early date, Wayne can boast truthfully of being 
the first township in Fayette county where the first white men settled and 
remained permanently. A man named Wolf, from Virginia, located on the 
North fork of Paint creek, near the Ross county line, in 1796, hence was first 
of all to invade the wilds of Fayette county. This tract of land was, in the 
seventies and eighties, owned by John H. Bryant, who remembers of seeing 
the figures ''1800" on the mud chimney of the original cabin on the place, 
and he is confident that it was built at least three and possibly four years after 
the settlement was made by Wolf. On this land was discovered a perpetual, 
clear and very cold spring of water, which no doubt induced that early settler 
to locate as he did. Wolf was described, by those who remember him, as a 
tall, powerful man, who made hunting, trapping and killing Indians his occu- 
pation. He died here and was buried near White Oak, on Hamilton's run. 
The family moved west and some of them were heard of in Indiana in i860. 
The old Bryant homestead, later owned by Mr. Speakman, was settled in 
about 18 1 5 by Philip Louderman, a relative of pioneer Wolf, from Virginia. 
Another relative of Wolf settled on the opposite side of North fork of Paint 
creek, on what was later known as the Dr. Judy place. The man referred 
to was one Alexander Hamilton, probably Wolf's cousin. He died and was 
also buried at White Oak cemetery. 

In 1803 came William Harper, who was born in Berkeley county, Vir- 
ginia. He was accompanied by his wife and eight children and settled on 
lands which, thirty years ago, were in the ownership of Robert Harper. 
The elder Harpers were members of the Presbyterian church, but later united 
with the Baptists. 

Benjamin Davis was another noted pioneer, born in South Carolina, 
moved to North Carolina, and in 1802 settled in Highland county. Ohio. 
He remained there till 1807, then took possession of three hundred acres 
which was a part of the Griffith survey. No. 738. He built a cabin and there 



;^20 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

lived many years. He was fond of books and paid as high as forty-five 
dollars for one book he owned, and he wrote on its fly-leaf, "Don't steal this 
book for fear of shame, for above there appears the owner's name." Davis 
died in 1837, when his son Jacob bought off the remainder of the heirs to his 
estate and thus secured the old homestead. 

Samuel Sollers, a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, born in 
1784, left that section in 1808 and immigrated to Ohio, having been land 
seeking the year before, and selected a tract in present Highland county. 
He brought his wife and one child the entire distance in a wagon, drawn over 
the rough roads and heavy forests by three horses. It will be understood 
that at that date Fayette county had not yet been organized, hence they 
settled in Ross countv, but at present it is wholly in Wayne township and is 
knovrn as the C. Wallace survey. No. 7577. The part selected by Sollers 
contained four hundred and fifty acres. It was bought from Wallace, who 
surveyed it for the government. 

Hamilton Rogers, wife and eight children removed to this township in 
1808 from Kentucky. They were natives of Pennsylvania. They located 
at the mouth of Indian creek. There were no signs of any improvements 
about them and Indians abounded all about them ; their huts could easily be 
seen in almost every direction one might look from his cabin. They seemed 
friendly, but they expected the white men to respect them and their rights. 

Another son of old Virginia wended his way to this township in 1821 
and worked for farmers several years. This was none other than Aquilla 
Jones, a native of Bradley county, Virginia, born 1798, the son of English 
parents. After being here about ten years, he returned to Virginia, stayed 
there a year or so, then came back to this his adopted country. He did not 
locate on his own land in this township until 1831, when he married Eliza- 
beth Garinger, who bore him seven children. He lost his wife, married a 
second time and by this latter union reared two beautiful daughters, Maria 
and Laura. He had a son who made a patriotic record during the Civil 
War. 

John Kule, son of John Kule, Sr., should not be omitted from that 
sturdy band of home builders who braved the dangers of a wilderness a cen- 
tury ago, for the object of making for himself and worthy family a comfort- 
able abiding place. He was born in 1808 in Virginia, and moved when quite 
small with the family to Ross county, Ohio, settling in Concord township in 
18 1 7. He obtained his education in a log school house at Greenfield, which 
was also used as a store and public tavern. Year by year he prospered until 
he finally possessed more than five hundred acres of land. He held many 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 32 I 

public offices and stood high among his fellow men. He had in his home a 
gun which was placed in a spring when Ohio was yet known as the North- 
west territory. 

EARLY TAVERNS. 

At a very early date this township had no public stopping place for the 
weary travelers. So any settler's cabin must be sought out for a resting 
place during the night. All were open to well-disposed men and women. 
Later, but still before the advent of the railroad through the place, the State 
road travel became large and some place like a country inn, or hotel, was 
almost a necessity to the times and to the traveling public. Finally Noah 
Hukill was induced to open such a tavern at his homestead place, on the 
Washington and Chillicothe pike. It soon got great name and fame. It 
was always orderly and clean and good beds and meals were always "set 
up'" to those- passing through who wished entertainment. He sold liquor, 
and his first sign-board read 'AVhiskey and Oats.'' The next sign flung to 
the breeze read, ''Inn by N. Hukill." The third and last of which there is 
any record, and which hung at the side of the house, at the sport of the wind 
many years, bore this inscription, "Independence, Please and Plenty." As 
high as twenty teamsters frequently stopped there in a single night. The 
township had no further attempts at hotels until the building of the railroad 
through Good Hope. 

INDIAN HORRORS. 

One need not go to the far-off-West, or read cheap literature, giving 
harrowing accounts of Indian savagery, for right here in Ohio, and in Ross 
and Fayette counties, there were events and crimes committed by the Indians 
that make the published stories in dime novels sink into littleness. These 
are true stories of happenings right here at home. The following is vouched 
for by Mrs. Scott, a granddaughter of pioneer George Scott. It was given 
through a request of an historian more than thirty years since, and runs as 
follows : 

By birth Heath was a Virginian, his grandfather having participated 
at Valley h'orge with the American armies during the Revolutionary strug- 
gle ; his wife was engaged in attending to the wounded after the battle. 
They had three children ; one was killed by Indians while engaged in plowing. 

George came to Kentucky as a scout during the Revolution, and at the 
age of twenty-one married Anna Wright, who lived near the Ohio river, in 
Kentuckv. During the last vears of the eighteenth century the voung couple 
(21) 



322 " FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

crossed the Ohio river, coming to this county, settling on Indian creek, in 
Wayne township, on land later owned by William Rodgers. They had ten 
children. The Davises, Wrights, Hills, Brannons and Clousers afterwards 
located in the same neighorhood, some of them on the opposite side of Paint 
creek. Heath participated in the War of 1812; in what capacity is not 
known now. 

The Miamis had a camping ground near the mouth of Indian creek, 
about four hundred yards from the humble home of the Heaths. During 
the winter from Hve to six hundred red-skins were encamped here — generally 
peaceful, though apparently very quick tempered at times. When Deborah 
Heath, the mother of our informant, was twelve years of age, a white man 
named Harrod shot and killed an Indian while out on a hunting expedition, 
and covered him up with logs of the forest. In the morning after the killing 
of the savage, Heath departed for Frankfort, leaving his family unprotected. 
The Indians instituted search for their missing companion and, upon dis- 
covering his dead body, very naturally concluded that the deed had been 
committed by a pale face. They became very much excited, and one of their 
companions, who went by the sobriquet of "Wild Duck," an ugly and fero- 
cious looking savage, came to the Heath caliin and inquired for the head of the 
family. He was told that the man had gone to Frankfort. He did not de- 
part readily upon receiving this information, but continued to inquire for 
Heath, at the same time brandishing his huge knife in a threatening manner, 
but was finally induced to depart and the terrible suspense of the family was 
relieved. On the morning following the Indian made a second call, meet- 
ing Heath a short distance from the house. For more than an hour angry 
Avords and threats passed between the two. finally, howexer, tliey dropped their 
weapons in token of peace. As Heath's brother had been massacred bv the 
Indians, his hostility to the latter was avowed and known to them, hence 
he was suspected of being the murderer of their late companion. Presum- 
ably he gave a satisfactory account of himself, at all events he was not 
molested. The entire settlement was much alarmed and feared an attack 
from their savage neighbors. To ensure safety, the Heaths took up a tem- 
porary abode at Frankfort, Mrs. Heath having buried her tableware in the 
garden before departing. Harrod was captured by the Indians in Ross 
county, and burned to death at the stake, near what is known now as Har- 
rod' s creek. Seven white men lay in ambush and witnessed the terrible exe- 
cution, but were either too cowardly or had no inclination to attempt a 
rescue. Apparently the savages were fully revenged by the death of Harrod, 
as they made no further attempt to disturb the little settlement. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 323 

''Wild Duck's" squaw was a dang-hter of the chief of the tribe, and dur- 
ing- one of his fits of anger he took her Hfe, which caused much grief and 
indignation among the rest. A number came to Heath's cabin and requested 
Mrs Heath to dress the corpse for burial as was the custom of the whites. 
Next day her body was deposited in a rude grave, a handful of dirt thrown 
on the same during war whoops, the grave being filled with cedar midst 
frequent whoops. 

Immediately after the ceremony the old chief and another warrior tied 
"Wild Duck," who had been secured in the meantime, to a pony and started 
up the creek for the "Cedar Hole," and shortly returned with the pony, though 
minus a rider. Heath enquired of the chief what disposition had been made 
of the wife-murderer. The wily old chief shook his fist under Heath's nose 
and said: "No white man's business." 

With the tribe was a white woman who had been captured, with her little 
brother, in childhood; the latter was killed because he was a burden, being 
too. young and delicate to walk. The girl grew to womanhood, became ac- 
customed to the habits of her captors, and married the chief's son. She fre- 
quently came to the Heath cabin to bake bread at the fire place. When ques- 
tioned as to her early life, she stated that she knew nothing except that her 
name was Sallie and that she had come a great distance. 

VILLAGE OF GOOD HOPE. 

Good Hope, the chief village within the bounds of Wayne township, is 
situated on the east bank of Indian creek, at the crossing of the Ohio South- 
ern railroad (now^ the D. T. & I. line), and Wabash and Good Hope pike, 
south of Washington C. H. Its present population is about two hundred 
and fifty. It was surveyed November i, 1849, by Benjamin Nelson and 
John L. Burnett, at the instance of Robert Harper and James Sargent, pro- 
prietors, says the county records. Thirty lots were platted at that date. 
Number i beginning at a point on North street, running thence north eightv- 
seven degrees and thirty minutes south, seven poles and two links, to a stake 
on the line of said street ; thence south two and a half degrees east, with West 
street twenty poles and two and a half feet to a stake. Thence with the 
Greenfield road twenty-four poles to the beginning, containing an area of 
seventy poles, two and a half feet. 

It should be remembered that while this platting was not executed until 
1849, there had been quite a village there for a number of vears before that 



324 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

date. About 1830 Isaac Smith bought of WilHam Rodgers five acres, in- 
chiding part of Lot i, giving as pay a rifle. Then Smith presented his son- 
in-law, ^Vi^iam Merchant, who erected a blacksmith's shop thereon, with 
the same. In 1838 Isaac Smith opened a little store in the building in which 
the shojj had been kept, after remodeling it somewhat. A few years later 
James Smith, a cousin, started what we now would term a saloon and sold 
much of the desired fire-water. 

Ira Yoenian had a wagon shop there about that date and Robert Mc- 
Ehvaine kept a tan-yard. He furnished leather made up on shares, and 
people then hired a shoemaker to come in and take their measure and make 
their boots and shoes. Some were calf and some were cow-hide stock. Mc- 
Elwaine died and John C. Jones ran the tannery until 1850, when he was 
appointed sheriff (a better job), and thus the tannery went down, with some 
unfinished stock on hand in the deep vats. 

Doctor Coffman, later of Washington C. H., was the first permanent 
phvsician of the village. He remained ten years and sold to Doctor Golds- 
bury. Doctor Harlow, later a druggist in the county seat, also practiced 
medicine at Good Hope. 

The present commercial affairs at Good Hope are as follows : 

Good Hope postoffice is a fourth-class office, and there have been but 
few postmasters in charge. N. A. Divines was commissioned in 1881 and 
served for the exceptionallv long period of tliirty-three years and up to April 
10, 1914, when I. O. Fountain was commissioned. There is one free rural 
delivery route out from this point, a distance of sixteen miles. 

There is a large, two-story frame town building, in which is a pul:)lic hall 
and the postoffice has been kept in the corner room of the first story since 
June, 19 14. 

The merchants, professions and tradesmen of Good Hope are now : 
Banking, Farmers Bank of Good Hope (see banking chapter) ; blacksmiths, 
Willis Boyer ; barbers, C. C. Fountain ; broom factory, J. B. York, president ; 
elevators, grain and coal, Moore & Black; feed stable, W. F. Black; general 
dealers, F. M. Kisling, W. H. Miller, N. F. McCallister, who also handles 
hardware ; hotel, Mrs. Mattie Walker ; jewelry, J. J. Parker ; lumber, A. VV. 
Rife; meats, A. M. Murry; pool halls (with restaurants), O. E. Harper, 
J. J. Parker ; stock dealers. Free & Steers, Hu_gh Rodgers, T. O. Smalley ; 
veterinary surgeon, O. A. Divines ; physicians, S. E. Boggs, A. E. Stemler. 

There are churches, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist, each having brick 
edifices (see chapter on churches). The lodges are confined to the Modern 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 325 

\\''oodmen of America and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, 
with the ladies auxiliary. 

There is an extensive tile factory which produces a vast amount of 
superior drain tiling annually. With it is coupled a saw-mill for cutting 
native lumber. This plant is owned by J. W. Rife & Son, and was estab- 
lished about 1906. 

OTHER HAMLETS OF THE TOWNSHIP. 

Besides Good Hope, there are, or have been, in this township towns as 
follows : Rockville or Rock Mills, in survey No. 2925. This place has a 
history running back almost a century. The mills and a store and small 
shops made up the sum total. Stephen Yoenian was first to locate there in 
18 1 5. He built the mill and constructed the dam. 

Convenience is the name of another hamlet. It is a station on the rail- 
road and was once embraced in the farm of W. R. Hukill. This, too, is a 
platted village. There are also flag stations on the railroad line of the Ohio 
Southern system, known as Bogus Road and Ghormley. None of these are 
places of much commercial importance today. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



MARION TOWNSHIP. 



Alarion is one of the three townships bordering on the eastern Hne of 
Fayette county. It was originally a part of Madison, from which it was 
separated July i8, 1840. On its north is Madison township, on the east is 
Pickaway county, on the south is Union and Wayne and on the west is 
LTnion. Wayne and Paint townships. Its population is now about eight hun- 
dred, not including that portion of the village of New Holland within this 
county. 

Coming directly to the first settlement of Marion township, it should 
be stated that it occurred thirty odd years prior to the township's organiza- 
tion. Among the earliest in the vanguard of pioneers in this part of Fayette 
county was John Uriah Blue, who came in from Virginia in 1804 and settled 
on N^orth fork of Paint creek, on land later owned by Charles McRea. He 
remained there until his death in 1820. 

Either that year or in 1805 came William Curry, a celebrated counter- 
feiter, who was also from the Old Dominion state, and who squatted on 
land afterwards owned by Smith and Jonathan Chaffin. Curry belonged to 
an organized band of counterfeiters and horse thieves, of which the Funk 
family were members, with their headquarters at Curry's house. Curry was 
finallv arrested and sent to the Ohio penitentiary for fifteen years. 

As early as 1808, possibly a year earlier, came John McCarty from near 
Frankfort, Ross county, settling on land bought of Ceneral McArthur, and 
there he resided until called by death in N^ovember, 1844. In 18 10 Edward 
Wilcox located where Smith Chaffin later lived. He was a worthy citizen 
and resided here until 1832, then removed to Illinois. Nathaniel and Will- 
iam Newman emigrated from Virginia in 18 10, and also held part of the land 
subsequently owned by Smith Chafiin. In 1810 another settler named Peter 
Blue came from Virginia. He was another excellent addition to the pioneers 
and died in 1848. 

Jonathan Shepherd, born in Hardy county, \'irginia, in 1787, emigrated 
at the age of fifteen years with his father's family to Ross county, one-half 
mile from b>ankfort. In 18 10 he came to Marion township, purchasing a 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OH lO. 327 

four-year lease of one John Dixon. In 1815 he bought three hundred acres 
of land, in Quarrell's survey No. 607, of Cadvvallader Wallace, where he 
immediately made settlement and lived there until his death in xApril, 1862, 
at the advanced age of seventy-two. He was one of the original members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church at Salem chapel. 

Daniel Grubs, a Virginian, emigrated to Kentucky, then to Marion town- 
ship in 181 2, locating in G. Reinch's survey No. 6522. He spent much time 
in hunting and many were the panthers, bears, wolves and deer killed in his 
hunting exploits. He died in 1838. 

A Pennsylvanian named Adam Turner came into Marion township 
from Ross county in 18 14, locating on military survey No. 628, consisting of 
one thousand acres, purchased from John Johnson, a Revolutionary soldier, 
a part of which land was in Wayne township. He remained until 1835 and 
removed to Indiana. His public spirit did much towards developing Wayne 
and Marion townships. 

George Bohrer, of Hagerstown, Pennsylvania, born in 1776, accom- 
panied his father's family to Berkeley county, Virginia, where he lived until 
1799, when, with his bride, he located near Steubenville, Ohio, remained 
until 181 4, then moved to Marion township, this county, buying land of 
Uriah Blue, in survey No. 6941. He moved to Washington C. H. in 1827 
and there engaged in the dry goods and millinery business with James Woods, 
continuing until 1829, then moved to New Holland and set up in a similar 
trade there. He continued there until overtaken by death, in October, 1832. 
He was the father of eleven children, all of whom grew to be men and 
women of importance in Fayette county. He was zealous in the work of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and donated the lot on which the Salem 
church was erected. 

Horatio W^alker, Daniel Beats, Samuel Coover, George Slaughter, 
Joseph and Jonathan Bryan, were all early settlers in Marion township. 
Walker came from Virginia. Beates was from New Jersey, originally, but 
emigrated from Virginia to this county. Slaughter was from Delaware. 
Coover was a Pennsylvanian, who arrived here from Kentucky in 181 2. He 
was a tailor and worked at his trade ; later he became known as an extensive 
land speculator and materially aided many to secure homes in Marion to^yn- 
ship. He died in 1830 with a fortune, honestly accumulated. Bryan settled 
on Paint creek, where he spent a long and very useful life as both farmer 
and stock raiser. 

As early as 1818 came Charles Beatty from Virginia, settling on land 
bought of Samuel Drew, later owned by William Clark. 



328 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

James Murray, a Pennsylvanian, came to Ross county, Ohio, when 
twelve years old, with his father, James H., who settled four miles west of 
Chillicothe. He helped lay out that place and was the first representative 
from Ross county. During the War of 18 12 he served as general, while 
his son was a major of militia, which guarded the frontier. Immediately 
after the marriage of young Murray, he settled on a farm in Marion town- 
ship, while the parents of his young wife settled on an adjoining tract of 
land. Murray was elected associate judge. He was an original member of 
the Bloomingburg Presbyterian church. 

Thomas Cook, Sr., was born in Delaware and came to Ohio in about 
1808, settling in Ross county. He later moved into Marion township, this 
county, located on a tract of land subsequently owned by Hezekiah BrovvU. 
He then removed to Indiana and died. He was probably another soldier in 
the War of 18 12. 

Moses Thompson, an Englishman by 1)irth, moved to Delaware in 1720. 
He served in the Revolutionary War under Washington. His sons, John, 
Moses, Jesse, Thomas and Joshua, all emigrated to Ohio in 1805. The son, 
Thomas, was born in Delaware in 1771. He finally located in Marion town- 
ship, this county, was twice married and had numerous children. He settled 
on Compton's creek. He was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and his house was the stopping place for all the ministers who 
chanced to come that way. He died on his farm in 1847. 

The Hawkins family was another of the early arrivals in the township. 
They came from Virginia. In 1827 came Elihu D. Scott, from Ross county. 
He located on land purchased of William Newman, and remained there until 
1847, moved to Van Wert county and there died. 

Benjamin Glaze accompanied his father's family to Union township in 
1805, remained at home until he attained man's estate, married, lived on his 
father-in-law's farm until 1829, then bought two hundred and fifty acres 
of wild land, of Thomas Carey, in the Ladd and Newell survey No. 9128. 

Perhaps no better citizen ever lived within Marion township than pioneer 
William Strope, who was justice of the peace thirty-eight years and who died 
in 1881. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1805, and died in New 
Holland, this county. He had lived in Ohio since boyhood. He was a 
bright Freemason, but never professed religion or held a membership in any 
church. 

The history of schools, churches, etc., will be found in the general chap- 
ters of this volume, with those of all other sections of Fayette county. 

Concerning early milling, it should be said that Adam Turner built a 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 329 

grist-mill and saw-mill on his own land in 1818. This was the first water- 
mill in Marion township and was operated more than twenty years. He 
finally moved to Indiana, after which this mill was run by John Cooper, and 
later by William Lucas. 

A postotfice (only one in the township), was established at the tannery 
of Armor Lloyd in 1851. but was discontinued after one year. 

The tanneries in this township were that of John Myers in about 1820 
and one run by Amor Lloyd in 1845. The last named was built near the 
Otterbein church, and was operated ten years, then sold to Thomas Thomp- 
son, who closed it shortly afterwards. 

The first election in Marion, after the township's organization, was held 
at the house of John Mc Arthur, July 18, 1840. 

VILLAGES. 

The only villages in this township are Manara, a mere hamlet, and a 
part of New Holland, the greater portion of which is situated in Pickaway 
county. The Pennsylvania railroad runs through this township from Wash- 
ington C. H. to the northeast, with New Holland as a station point, on the 
county line. Manara is situated on the Bloomingburg and New Holland 
pike. 

New Holland is a good, enterprising business point, with a few acres of 
platting in its incorporate limits which are situated in Fayette county. There 
are a number of residences, but no business portion of the town is within 
Fayette county. 

Johnson's Crossing is also within Marion township, about three miles 
to the southwest from New Holland ; here there is simply a country store for 
the accommodation of the near-by farming community. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



PAINT TOWNSHIP. 



Paint is the central sub-division of the county, on the northern border, 
with Madison county at its north. Madison and Marion townships at the 
east, Union and Jefferson townships at the south and Jefferson township at 
its west. Its population in 1910 was, including the village of Bloomingburg. 
two thousand and seventy-nine. Its chief pike is the Bloomingburg and 
Midway road. It was named from the creek that forms one of its boundaries. 
It was one of the original townships of Fayette county at its organization. 
X^ature has made this a fertile domain. The wash from Paint creek gives a 
natural fertilizer for its otherwise naturally rich soil. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. • 

To George Coil must l)e given the distinction of having been the first 
white man to enter this township with the intention of becoming a resident. 
It was in the very early days of the last century — about 1802 — when this 
man of push and genuine enterprise came in and erected his cabin and at once 
set about clearing up land ^^hich he might utilize as a farming spot. But 
little is known of him, where he came from or how many years he remained 
in the county. But records point to the fact that he must have been the first 
setler. 

In 1803 William Hays emigrated from Kentucky, settling on Big Wal- 
nut, where he remained until 1805, then moved to this township, settling on 
a portion of survey X^o. 1063, on the banks of Paint creek, with his father 
James and the family, consisting of David, John, James, Jr., Rankin, Benja- 
min. Jane, Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth and Sarah. William and John served 
as privates in captain McElwain's military company, which was ordered out 
to Fort Sandusky, where they assembled and built the fort. At the close 
of the war they returned home and farmed. 

It was also in 1805 when Solomon Salmon, of Delaware, came to Paint 
creek country, settling on the low lands later owned by his son Perry. In 
1880 Perry Salmon had in his possession the military patent for four hun- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 33 1 

dred acres granted to Solomon Salmon, assignee of John A/IcClain, assignee 
of Benjamin Parker, assignee of William Johnston, assignee of Samuel 
kercheval, assignee of Thomas Jenkins, only living representatives of Joshua 
Jenkins, a sergeant in the Re^•olutionary War. The date of survey of said 
tract was many years prior to the signing of the instrument by James Mon- 
roe, March 26, 1 8 19, several years after possession had been taken by 
Solomon Salmon. Perry, a relative of his, accompanied him and settled 
on land owned later years by Gideon Vezay. In the eighties the old cabin 
erected by him was still standing where built. 

From 1805 on the tide of immigration swept in extensively. Among 
these men was Solomon Sowers, who erected the first mill on Paint creek; 
Samuel Robins, the pioneer school teacher and justice of the peace; Jacob 
Pursley, the first blacksmith ; John Oliver, the first carpenter ; Joseph Parris, 
a soldier in the War of 1812, and also of the Revolution; Leonard Parris! 
of the War of 1812. a farmer and hunter, and stock raiser: Jeremiah Smith, 
another soldier, and scores of others whose names have long ago been for- 
gotten. 

Nathaniel Tway, of New Jersey ancestry, but born in Ohio, was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary W^ar and saw three years and a half service. At 
the battle of Brandywine a ball from the enemy's ranks was lodged in his 
heel, but otherwise he was uninjured. He came to this county in 1810, 
working for various farmers by the day. In 18 12 his father, John Tway, 
and the family came out here and located in Paint township, near the Mad- 
ison county line. Nathaniel later bought land of the Funks, the title of 
which not being clear he was unable to hold the lands. 

William Squire, born in New Jersey in 1756, enlisted during the Revolu- 
tion, when eighteen years old, as a private in his uncle's company, serving 
with much credit. The family, then consisting of himself, wife and four 
children, settled first in Ross county, Ohio, but later removed to this town- 
ship. He paid two dollars and a half per acre for the land he purchased. 

There were several settlements on the road leading through Blooming- 
burg. One Lambert lived on the site of the village grave-yard, and Isaac 
Boner also lived near him. 

Col. James Stewart, mentioned elsewhere, settled here early and the 
commissioners of the new county of Fayette held their first meeting at his 
cabin in the spring of iSio, which was before the matter of a county seat 
had fully been fixed upon. In 1812 he was elected colonel of the Fayette 
county regiment in the Third Brigade of Ohio militia. He was a Presby- 
terian and aided in the organization of the church at Washington C. H. and 



332 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

at South Salem. He helped snr^'ey the comity into townships and located 
many settlers on their lands. He died in May, 1862, honored by everyone 
in the county. They had a large family of sons and daughters to do honor 
to the family name in this county. 

MINOR INCIDENTS. 

The wife of Judge Joseph Gillespie brought with her the first colored 
woman ever seen in Fayette county. She came from New York state in 
181 7, by wagon. She was called Ruth Piatt, and lived to attain a great age, 
at Washington C. H. 

The Funk family had many bad members within its fold. One was 
perhaps the meanest and most viciously cruel disposed of any man known to 
have resided here. It is related for a truth that he skinned a wolf, and then 
allowed the live animal to go forth into the forest unprotected by a covering. 

THE VILLAGE OF BLOOMINGBURG. 

This is the only considerable A'illage of Paint township. Its location is 
in the southeastern part of the territory, running to the south line of the town- 
ship. At one date it was a husky rival of Washington C. H. Its present 
population is about six hundred, according to the 19 10 census. In many 
ways there clusters much of historic interest about this little village. From 
a former record of the county, published in 1881, it appears that much pains 
was then taken by residents there to give a correct history, as best could be 
compiled at so late a date, and from this we take the liberty of quoting freely. 

The village was laid out in 181 5 by Solomon Bowers. It was believed 
at that time, as well as many years later, that it would one day become the 
seat of justice for Fayette county. The square on the corner of Main and 
Cross streets, where later stood the frame school building, was set apart for 
public grounds, having in mind the court house, probably. There were alsc^ 
thirty-seven other lots laid off. The village was known as "New Lexing- 
ton.'' The county records show this fact. Though named, legally, New 
Lexington, it was usually called the "New Purchase." This was on account 
of it being located on lands of the early purchase. Tradition has it that 
Doctor Gillespie wanted it re-named for his old home town in York state, 
Bloomingburg. While he was keeping store in the old Central Hotel build- 
ing, he proposed to "treat" the male inhabitants provided they agreed to the 
alteration. The proposition was accepted and Colonel Myers, then in the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 333 

Legislature, introduced a bill changing its name. The act was passed Febru- 
ary 5, 1847, which was thirty-two years after its first platting and original 
naming. 

The first election was held for municipal ol^cers February 24, 1847. 
The ofticers elected were: Mayor, Joseph Counts, Jr.; recorder, J. M. Ed- 
wards; trustees, John Gunning, Samuel Worrell, James M. Willis, William 
S. Carr and J. N. McLaughlin ; George W. Worrell was appointed marshal. 

In February, 1848, the corporate limits were extended eleven rods in 
each direction, and in May, 1878, by adding one hundred and twenty rods 
on the north and east, seventy on the west, and extending to the Union town- 
ship line on the south. 

In 1876 it was voted by the citizens of the village to levy five mills tax 
"for sewers, drains and ditches." Four sewers were constructed. A village 
prison was also provided in 1876. This was a strong frame structure. 

In January, 1880, the old ordinances were all repealed and new ones 
made to conform to the new state laws and in keeping with the times. 

SOME EARLY EVENTS. 

William Bryant erected the first house. It was a log building which 
stood where later the Central hotel was built. 

The earliest residents in Bloomingburg were Matthew Gillespie, John 
Oliver, John Duff, Mrs. Gilmore and Mrs. Rosebone. 

In 181 7 there were about ten cabins, one being owned by John Rutt. 

Colonel Stewart and Matthew Gillespie kept a store on a portion of the 
Stewart farm, and sold to all the early residents. 

A Mr. Williams ran a tan-yard. 

In the spring of 181 7 James Dunning started a shoe shop; Thomas Cess- 
ler a blacksmith shop ; one McCoy a hatter's shop ; Messrs. Seth and Eustace 
were the first tailors, and William Weeks the pioneer wagon-maker. 

John Oliver, a carpenter, also kept a tavern, finally in 1826 moving to 
Pennsylvania. 

The earliest cabinet-maker was H. Bryant ; the first school teacher was 
Doctor McGraugh, followed by Mr. Stone. Dr. George Allen was the first 
physician. 

MILLING INDUSTRIES. 

About 1833 William Carr erected a flouring mill on the east bank of 
Paint creek, a mile south of the county line. The building was a small struc- 



334 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

ture, but attracted wide attention and to its yard came teams and grists from 
far and near. The waters of Paint creek furnished alxmdant water-power. 
It was in operation many years, but eventually, as the people demanded a bet- 
ter drainage for their lands, the power of the stream was weakenea so much 
that finally the mill had to be abandoned. After standing idle many more 
years, it was afterwards torn down. A smaller structure, however, was 
erected on its old site and more modern meal-making machinery was in- 
stalled. It was owned at one time by John Martin. It was a saw-mill and 
corn grinder, but no wheat burrs were added. 

When Carr's mill — the earliest mill — was built it made a little settle- 
ment, which increased year after year. It was finally named "Carr's Mills.'' 
In 1880 it had a population of about one hundred. Its business consisted of 
two blacksmith shops, one dry goods' store, one exclusive grocery store, one 
notion house, one boot and shoe store and the mills. In 1880 a frame church 
was erected by the Baptist denomination, with Walter Yoeman as pastor. 

About 1827 a woolen industry sprung up in the township. Philip Dod- 
rids'e later of Circleville, started a carding machine in the town of Bloom- 
ingburg, continuing a year. The machinery was driven by horse-power and 
a tread-wheel. He sold to Eber Patrick, a practical manufacturer, who sold 
to Mr. Parker, and removed to Washington C. H. Parker soon sold to Mr. 
Carr, who moved the machinery to Indiana. 

ANTI-SLAVERY DAYS IN BLOOMINGBURG. 

It should ever be remembered that Bloomingburg was a station on the 
"underground railroad" (a system by which slaves were secreted and at the 
time unlawfully spirited to the North), and along with that fact there were 
many interesting incidents, which if they could be published would make a 
volume at once interesting and valuable. Here the runaway slaves were fed 
and clothed and sent on their way toward the north star and freedom in 
Canada. It took much courage and defiance of the United States laws, at 
that time, to help a slave out of his bondage. These exertions were prompted 
by an intelligent conviction that human slavery was not right. The Presby- 
terians were ardent supporters of the anti-slavery cause, and in 1834 held a 
series of meetings at which the question was discussed. One of the settlers, 
James Claypole, in his blind opposition to the movement, refused to attend 
the meetings. Finally, one evening, urged by his clerk, he attended a meet- 
ing and occupied a back seat. He was soon interested and was convinced 
that he was wrong, and the following day himself drafted a constitution for 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 335 

the organization of the anti-slavery society — among the first, if not the first 
in all America. 

Slave hunters had bnt little use for Bloomingburg after this society's 
organization. Here the cabin, the garret, stable, hay rack and barns, as well 
as the kitchen and parirn;;?:. were open to the weary wanderers in search of 
freedom. Hundreds of thg'y'n, in need of food, clothing and money, found 
the true Samaritan here with open hands. When ''conductors" came around 
there was no question asked. There were many hair-breadth escapes, many 
strange incidents in individual experience. The labor of getting a warm 
meal for the shivering fugitive, the long and cold drive in the darkness of 
the night, with hearts burdened by anxious thoughts, with no possible motive 
of a selfish character, are sufficient testimonials to the strength of the senti- 
ment upon which such heroic activity was based. The colored folks appreci- 
ated these things and after the Civil War had forever set them free, many 
came here and located permanently. 

THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION THEN AND NOW. 

It would be an error for one to think, upon visiting Bloomingburg today, 
that it had always been noted for temperance and sobriety. Far from it! 
The pioneer came to the county, bringing along with him excellent receipts 
for making rum, and it was made whenever it was found necessary to re- 
plenish the household supply of that "necessity," for such it was then looked 
upon. Liquor was found in every house, indeed many in the churches re- 
garded the traffic in ardent spirits as consistent with Christian character. It 
was thought needful, as an expression of genuine hospitality. The economy 
of the times justified its manufacture and sale and the farmer in its use, be- 
cause it gave employment and opened up a market. Merchants believed it 
necessary to entice customers to trade through its influence. 

At an early day in this locality there were numerous peach orchards, and 
five distilleries, in and near Bloomingburg. were required for the manufac- 
ture of the fruit into peach brandy. On Saturdays a number of persons were 
in the weekly habit of assembling at the various dram-shops, imbibing freely 
of the liquor, and then retire to the rear of the old Baptist church "to fight 
it out." This state of affairs went on for manv years until the better ele- 
ment in the community started a reformation. Foremost in this work of 
exterminating the cnrse from town was Judge Gillespie, who gathered, at 
his own expense, a vast array of statistics showing the amount of money and 
time spent for the purpose of getting whisky. His figures were not believed. 



336 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and the opposition took a new census, as it were, of the situation, and were 
then convinced that the Judge was correct. It was, however, a long, hard 
struggle, but gradually the evil disappeared. Some held out persistently. 
A member of the Presbyterian church continued to sell and to justify the 
moderate use of ardent spirits, and at a discussion the question was asked 
if Jesus would keep a rum-shop? Its bold and direct aim reached the heart 
of the religious whisky dealer, and that night he resolved to quite the ques- 
tionable traffic. The entire community then signed an article, in which they 
agreed to exclude King Alcohol from the community. It was a great inno- 
vation in Bloomingburg, and made it a different village for all time. The 
rule has been for decades that liquor has not been used in the community, 
save by the low and leaser class. 

For a history of the schools and churches and lodges of this village and 
the township in which it is situated, the reader will be referred to general 
chapters giving the history of all of these. 

THE POSTOFFICE HISTORY. 

The various postmasters at Bloomingburg who have served since the 
establishment of that office in 1819 are as follows: Archibald Stewart, ap- 
pointed March 22, 1819; P. B. Doddridge, June 4, 1825; James Stewart, 
March 22, 1833; J. F. Claypool, October 20, 1834; Smiley Hughes, Decem- 
ber 8, 1835; George S. Fullerton, xApril 3, 1839; H. C. Stewart, February i, 
1841 ; William R. Southward, April 23, 1842; A. C. Putnam, June 7, 1845; 
William R. Southward, October 23, 1846; James Gunning, July 14, 1849; 
William R. Southward, May i, 1850; T. B. Sheets, December 29, 1854; 
George W. Gordon, May 10, 1859; Orville Gunning, July 23, i860; James 
Gunning, December 7, 1861 ; William D. Gibson, May 6, 1865; M. W. Stew- 
art, November 17, 1869; William J. McCoy, June 23, 1874; J. Y. Stitt, April 
2, 1883; Lucius O'Brien, December 2, 1885; George W. Gordon, June 13, 
1889; Isaac N. Hanna, September 5, 1893; Lucius O'Brien, October 5, 1895; 
James F. Sheets, June 18, 1897; F. E. Wliiteside, January 16, 1911. This 
is a fourth class postoffice and the last fiscal year it transacted a business 
amounting to nine hundred fifteen dollars and seventy-one cents. It has two 
rural delivery routes and is a well conducted postoffice. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 337 



MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 



Bloomingburg, first known as New Lexington, was incorporated in 
1847 ^^^^ the Legislature changed its name to Bloomingburg. Its earlier 
records are not at hand, hence we give the list of mayors from 1880 or for 
a period of thirty-four years, which runs thus: 1880, James Judy, who 
served to 1890; 1890-98, C. T. Lynch; 1898-1908, J. W. Yore; 1908-1910, 
L. D. Minnix; 1910-11, J. W. Yore; 1911-12, Theodore Allen; 191 1 to pres- 
ent date, O. W. Creath. F. M. McCoy has been town clerk for the last four- 
teen years. 

The 1914 officers are: O. W. Creath, mayor; F, M. McCoy, clerk; J. 
M. Jones. L. D. Minnix, L. Willinger, L. D. Exline, Mr. Dickey and 
Mr. Yeoman, councilmen. The only protection against fire is a bucket 
brigade of volunteers who use water from near-by wells and cisterns. The 
streets are well cared for. 

The lodges and churches at present are : The Methodist Episcopal, 
Presbyterian and colored Baptist churches and the "Holy Rollers," as termed, 
and the Ivlasonic, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America 
lodges. There is also a strong Grange lodge. 

19 14 BL'SINESS FACTOK'S. 

Attorney — Humphrey Jones. 

Agricultural Implements — Hester & Son. 

Bank— The Peoples Bank (private). 

Blacksmiths— Charles Storts, Charles Groff, F. M. McCoy, W. T. 
Elliott. 

Barbers — Henry Walters, G. H. Caster. 

Coal — Frank McDow^ell, Leach Exline. 

Drugs— J. Y. Stitt. 

Dray — Grant Leach. 

Department Stores — Scott Brothers, Taylor Brothers, J. N. McClure. 

Elevator — W. A. Howland. 

Groceries — Scott Brothers, Taylor Brothers, J. N. McClure, W. N. 
Harris, Lohr & Foster. 

Hotel — The Enterprise, by Mrs. Vance & Sons. 

Hardware — Hester & Son, J. M. McClure. 

Harness — Hester & Son. 
(22) 



338 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Livery — Thomas Lee. 

Millinery — Airs. E. S. Tanner. 

Meat Market — William Friend. 

Physicians — Drs. G. W. Holdren, E. H. McDonald. 

Plumber— C. J. Noble. 

Pressing and Cleaning — Jacob W. Washington. 

Restaurants — Jess Stewart, P. Allen, M. O. Rison. 

Stock Dealers — Sherman Wilson, W. J. Jefferson, G. W. Gardner, Jo 
Yeoman. 

Shoe Repair Shop — Calvin Austin. 

There is a building and loan company in the tov^n that is over a quarter 
of a century old and has paid as high as fourteen per cent, annual dividend. 
H. A. Pinkerton is the secretarv. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



MADISON TOWNSHIP. 



This is the extreme northeastern subdivision of Fayette county. Madi- 
son civil township was one of the original townships made at the organization 
of the county in 1810. Its history, then, goes back one hundred and ten years 
as a precinct of the county. It is bounded on the north by Madison county, 
on the east by Pickaway county, on the south by Marion township, and on 
the west by Paint township. Its population in 19 10 was reported as being 
one thousand two hundred and thirty-three. 

SETTLEMENT. 

It appears that 1807 was the date of the arrival of Samuel Myers, the 
first settler to locate in the then wild district of what is now Madison town- 
ship — that being three years prior to the organization of this county. By 
birth Myers was a Pennsylvanian, born on June 11, 1776. Later the family 
moved to Virginia, and in 1807 the son Samuel emigrated to this county, at 
the age of thirty years. He located on Deer creek, near the mouth of Duff's 
fork, in this township, and in the northern part of survey No. 463, entered 
in the name of Thomas Overton. After remaining until 1816, he moved to 
Compton's creek, in Paint township, where he became a heavy farmer and 
stock raiser. He drove his cattle, after fattening them on the rich grasses, 
to Lancaster and Chester counties, Pennsylvania. When the War of 1812 
was started, he was commissioned captain of militia, November 11, 1811. 
During the siege of Fort Meigs, and for gallant conduct, he was elected major 
on the field. He represented Fayette county in the General Assembly of 
1813 and again in 18 18. He was also a justice of the peace for over thirty 
years, and taught the first school in Madison township, near the site of pres- 
ent Waterloo, in the winter of 1809, walking almost three miles to and from 
the little hut of a school house. 

John Baldwin, a native of Virginia, born in 1749, espoused the cause of 
the colonies in the great struggle for national independence. He was a 
captain of militia, which company he raised himself and also equipped it for 



340 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

service. He further paid his own men for the term of their enlistment, 
which ahnost exhausted his goodly fortune. This was returned in shape of 
continental money, but it was so depreciated that it was almost valueless. 
He recei^'ed a large tract of land in the Virginia military reservation, which 
he located partly in Madison county and partly in Madison township, Fayette 
county, Ohio. It is known as the Wallace-Baldwin survey, No. 9721. His 
wife died before he left Virginia. He had twelve children by her. A few 
of his sons accompanied him to this county ; also one of his sons-in-law, the 
remainder of his sons coming in a little later. Jonah settled in Madison 
township. He died in September, 1850. aged seventy-seven years. William, 
born in Virginia, settled on his father's land in Madison, soon after his 
father's arrix-al'here. He died in 1823, aged fifty years. Richard Carson, the 
son-in-law of Jolm Baldwin, born in 1781, came from Virginia with Baldwm 
and settled on lands given him by Baldwin. 

Edmund Clarridge. born in Maryland, in 1789, moved with his father 
in 1798 to Ross county, Ohio. Edmund enlisted near the close of the War of 
1812 and served until its close. He had just moved to Madison township 
before his enlistment, and at the end of his service returned and there spent 
the remainder of his life. He served for many terms as a justice of the 
peace, and was also clerk and treasurer of his township. He died in 1868, 
owning a finely improved farm of a hundred and sixty acres. He and his 
wife were the parents of sixteen children, whose names and life-work in thi& 
county are well known. 

Col. Joel Gregory, a New Yorker, mo^•ed to Athens county. Ohio, at a 
very early date, bought property and started a grist mill, saw mill and carding 
machine just below the town of Athens. There he was made a colonel of 
the militia. In 181 5 he sold his property in Athens county and moved to 
Madison township. Fayette county. He o\\ned a large amount of land in 
this countv and divided it among his sons, as they desired. He was in the 
Revolutionary War. He was elected to the Legislature here two terms, 
when that body yet convened at Chillicothe. At the age of sixty-five years, 
he died in this county, greatly esteemed by all. Nearly everv other member 
of the Gregory family made their mark in this and adjoining counties, and 
had to do with the development and military protection of the frontier 
country, through and after the ^^'ar of 18 12. 

James Jones, Sr., was born in Pickaway county in 1813, at a point about 
three miles below New Holland. In early boyhood he had the ill fortune to 
be bereft of his mother, and after his father's second marriage, his home be- 
coming unpleasant, he left and began w'orking for others by the month. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 34I 

W^ages were very low and capital hard to accumulate, but, in a limited way, 
he was able to start in a Ijusiness of his own, which eventually led to his good 
circumstances in life. He died in 1871, having lived in and near Yankee- 
town many years. He had the misfortune to have to pay the debts contracted 
by others to the large amount of fifty-three thousand dollars. Yet at death 
he left a landed estate of thirteen hundred acres of highly cultivated land to 
his sons. He was a devout Methodist for twenty years. He was greatly 
missed by his community when called by death. 

John Leavell, a native of Virginia, who served seven years in the 
Revolutionary War, started in 1786 with his family, from Culpeper county, 
to remove to Kentucky, but stopped in Greenbrier county, where, in the winter 
of 1786-87, he died, and in the spring his widow went on to Kentucky, where 
her sons erected a log cabin. While watching her son fell a tree near the 
cabin, she became excited for fear it w^ould fall on the house and running 
away w'as caught by the falling tree and instantly killed. There were eleven 
children in her family. One son, John Leavell, born in Culpeper county, 
Virginia, in 1774, came to Ross county, Ohio, and squatted on Congress land, 
on the east side of the Scioto, a short distance from Chillicothe. He did not 
remain over one year and, not being suited with the outlook, he went to 
Pickaway county, near Williamsport, where for a year he dealt in stock. He 
was collector of taxes in Ross county in the period from 1816 to 1820. In 
181 6 he bought land on Duff's Fork; in 1822 he married and to this union 
were born nine children. He died in 1854, owning a thousand acres of valu- 
able land. 

John Nutt, an early settler in Madison township, came from near Win- 
chester, Virginia. Shortly after arriving in this township, he bought two 
hundred acres of land, a half of which he gave to his son James, who, with 
his family, occupied the same. Mr. Nutt died aged one hundred and one 
years of age. The son married in Virginia and had a family of thirteen chil- 
dren. It will be observed that the early settlers were, for the most part, in 
the habit of having extremely large families; race suicide had not become a 
national curse, as it has in more recent years. 

Robert Abernathy, a native of Virginia, was born in 1786 and when 
grown up he married and emigrated to Williamsport, Pickaway county. Ohio, 
in 181 5, rented land on Deer creek on Round Bottom, where he raised two 
crops. In the autumn of 181 7 he purchased ninety-seven acres of land in 
Overton's survey. Pie made a good farmer and capable citizen, and at 
death left a good property at Mt. Sterling, where he died in 1852. 

Ephraim Moore, born in Delaw^are, came to Ross county, Ohio, in 1805, 



342 FAYETTE COllNTV, OIIKJ. 

settling at the mouth of Deer creek, where he rented land of Colonel Evans. 
After about two years he removed six miles further up the creek, near "^"ates 
mill, in Pickaway county, where for four years he farmed. He next moved 
to Williamsport, remained till the close of the war of 1812, then moved to 
Shelbv county, coming to Fayette county between 1820 and 1822, settling 
on the Batteal Harrison farm, in Madison township. Later he resided with 
his son at Waterloo. He had a service of twelve days in the War of 1812, 
when he was wounded, and hired a substitute to fill his unexpired time. He 
died at his son Isaac's home, aged one hundred and one years of age. He 
was the father of nine children. 

Sometime prior to 181 5, William Morgan emigrated from Virginia and 
settled on land first leased and later purchased, on Duff's fork, in the Arm- 
strong" sur\'ey. He was considered a wealthy man, owning eight hundred 
acres where he lived, a farm on the Big Darby, near Harrisburg, Franklin 
county, and another on Deer creek, one mile from Yankeetown. He made 
his wealth b}^ grazing cattle, which he drove to the Baltimore and Philadel- 
phia markets. He died in 1855. 

EARLY STORES AND SHOPS. 

The first store in Aladison township was opened by Adley Gregory, in 
181 5, at Yankeetown, which he conducted until another w^as opened in 1825, 
a half mile north of Yankeetowai, on the Mt. Sterling road. John Johnson 
operated the last named store in one part of his dwelling. He continued in 
trade until his death, some six years later. About this date, for three years, 
near Yankeetown, Robert Leach conducted a general store. He was suc- 
ceeded by others, the same stock changing hands frequently. 

Between 1864 and 1867 James Graham started a dry goods store at 
Madison Mills, continued a year and sold to George Franklin. The store 
was destroyed by an explosion of a keg of powxler in the cellar, the loss of 
the stock being complete. The e\'idence of a pre-arranged plan was so 
thorough that he never tried to collect his insurance. 

David Harrison opened a grocery store at Madison Mills in i860, con- 
ducted it two years, then sold to George Ladd, an Englishman. Crow and 
Sons were running tlie store there in the late eighties. 

The earlv blacksmiths were Joseph Withrow, 1823, near Yankeetow'n; 
Otho Williams, in 1834; David Saint, in 1874; Alexander Clark, i860; 
Thomas Scott, 1864. 



F.\V[:ri K corNTY, oiito. 



MIIJ.S. 



343 



At some time just prior to 1817 John Gilmore built a water-power mill 
<ii Deer creek, one mile to the north of Waterloo, which he operated for a 
number of years. He was succeeded in that project by Samuel Pancoast, 
vviio continued to run it fifteen years longer. The mill was then sold to 
Colonel Sharp, who attached a distillery to the plant. He continued eight 
years and sold to Samuel Pancoast, Jr., and he in turn to John Messmore, 
who owned the property in the eighties. After a few years he tore down the 
old mill, erected a three-story frame mill and put in two sets of burrs, one 
being intended for wheat and one for corn. In 1879 a patent purifier was 
added, and then "new process" was added, allowing him to produce first class 
patent flour, as it was termed. Both he and his son, R. W. Messmore, after- 
wards did aii extensive business there. 

In about 1832 or 1833, John Gilmore. after losing the above pioneer 
mill, by litigation with Mr. Pancoast, erected a mill two and a half miles 
above, on w^hat is called Island branch of Deer creek, in the Overton survey. 
No. 463. After a dozen years he was succeeded by a colored man named 
Sylva, and very soon thereafter it was abandoned altogether. 

William Harrison built a large steam flouring mill — the Madison Mills 

in 1859. After doing a thri\'ing business five years, he sold it and eight 
acres of ground to Andrew Shriver, of Ross county, who, failing to meet 
his payments, was relieved by John Harrison, who took the property over. 
A few years longer and the mill was dismantled and the machinery removed 
to Stuckey's mill, at Washington C. H. At the same time the grounds and 
buildings were sold to Abraham Lindsey, whose son, A. C. Lindsey, in 1880, 
bought new machinery at a cost of fi\'e thousand dollars and opened up, 
doing an extensive and profitable milling business. 

Thomas Lindsey located a portable saw-mill on East fork of Paint creek, 
one mile southeast of Madison Mills, in March, 1881. Later the mill was 
moved a mile northwest of White Oak. 

In 1822 Samuel Pancoast started a single carding-mill at Pancoastburg 
and operated the same about seven years. About 1829 he secured a partner,, 
a Mr. Muzzy, from Springfield, Ohio, who added fulling and finishing ma- 
chinery. Then they secured John Messmore. an expert in such work, and 
another carding machine was added. Ten years later hand-spinning ma- 
chinery was put in — tiiese w^ere known as "Billie and Ginnie." It was not 
many years before John Messmore was sole owner, and he, in 1835, added a 



344 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

condenser and spinning-jack, thus continuing to card, spin, do the fulHng 
process, dving. and finishing, until 1800. when steam power was added to 
run the machinery in dry and low-water seasons. Five years later his son 
succeeded him. and soon it became the property of Appleton Mowry, who, 
finding the larger mills and factories too much to compete with, sold off most 
of the- machinery for old iron, and was content at manufacturing stocking 
yarn. 

VILLAGES OF THE TOWNSHIP. 

There are now a number of ^•ery small hamlets within this township, the 
larger of which has less than three hundred population. These villages are 
Pancoastburg (old Waterloo), with about tw^o hundred and fifty people; 
Cook, with seventy population; Madison Mills, with less than a hundred and 
fifty people. 

What was originally called Waterloo is in the extreme southeastern 
part of the township, on the road leading from Chillicothe to Urbana. Tt 
w^as laid out June 20, 1816, by Isaac Pancoast and Jesse Woodson, and occu- 
pies a part of the James survey. No. 470. The first lots, ten in number, were 
auctioned off in September of the year of the platting. This was the second, 
or re-platting, as no lots were sold at first, so in 1829 Pancoast again platted 
his town over. The first house was erected by Nathan Loofborrow', after 
the re-survcv had been effected. Prior to that there had been a log cabin on 
the site. The second house was erected by John Messmore in 1833-34. This 
Avas a brick building. 

Nathan Loofborrow opened a store in part of his dwelling soon after 
the last surveying. He continued five or six years and sold to Rowland Wil- 
son and a Mr. Jackson, of Mt. Sterling. They were short-lived. Prior to 
this store was that of Thomas Littleton, who began merchandising and kept 
it up until his death, about twelve years later. J. W. Blizzard closed out this 
stock in i860. \\'ith the llight of years many have been engaged in trade at 
this village, and their names may appeal to some reader, who may know of 
or be related thereto, hence they are subjoined: Vance & Bailey, Girt on & 
Phebus, J. W. Moore, Shreve Gaskill, A. P. Littleton, Daniel Kelley, J. W. 
Smith, Wharford Young, J. W. Gaskill, B. T. Corkwell, George D. Ladd, 
W. H. H. Timmons. James Lewis, Wesley Geoley, R. W. Messmore, Wick- 
man & Leach and E. A. Peasley. The last named opened a dry goods store 
in 1879, when J. W. Moore started in the grocery trade. 

In 1850 A. S. Decker commenced to run a harness shop at this point and 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

in the late eighties was still furnishing such work and goods for that section 
of rayette county. 

A shoe shop was put in by A. Howser, in 1879. 

The earliest blacksmith of Waterloo was in 1830, in the person of Mr 
1 racy, who at that date was eighty years of age. hence only wielded the sledo-e 
a few years longer. Others of that trade were Messrs. McClelland, John 
Tmimons. Adley Bostwick, who was killed by the falling of a pile of native 
lumber. Also William Scott ran a shop later than this. Bostwick patented 
a plow w^hich his apprentice manufactured. 

At the present date, summer of 1914, the business at this point is chiefly 
in the hands of: R W. Hatfield, hardware: C. A. Richardson, groceries- M 
R. Scott, general dealer; R. L. Hutchison, general dealer: D M Norris' 
blacksmith; J. H. Richardson, postmaster. 

There are churches as follows : Methodist Episcopal. Christian Chris- 
tian Union societies. The present school house was erected in 1889.' 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



CITY OF WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE. 



Washington C. H., the county seat of Fayette county, is located near 
the central portion of Union township, on Paint creek, and occupies a part 
of land entry N^o. 757, which consisted of twelve hundred acres and be- 
longed to Benjamin Temple, of Logan county, Kentucky, who donated one 
hundred and fifty acres to Fayette county for a county town, or seat of 
justice. The deed conveying this land to the county was made December 
I, 1810, by Thomas S. Hind (through a power of attorney from Temple) to 
Roljert Stewart, who was appointed by the Legislature of Ohio as "director 
of the town of Washington," and who had the town laid off sometime be- 
tween December i, 1810, and February 26, 181 1, the latter date being the day 
on which the town plat was recorded. 

The name "Washington Court House" was not given to the place until 
later. This was affixed in order to not confuse a town in Guernsey county, 
this state, with this one. It was a quite a common custom in both Virginia 
and Maryland to have the afiix of "C. H." to many of their county seats, 
and hence, as many of our early settlers came from those states, it was but 
natural that some such affix be made. After the change was made it was 
almost universally used and not until a few years ago was there any attempt 
to cut oft' the "C. H." at the end of Washington. Petitions were- freely cir- 
culated in 191 1, and an exciting campaign was had over the proposed 
change, but when all was over it appeared that a majority of four hundred 
was in favor of retaining the aftix of "Court House," and so it will probably 
always remain. The postal department will not admit of two offices by the 
same name in any one state. At the time this county was organized there 
was no such law, otherwise this difticulty might all have been remedied. A 
few years since the government changed the name Washington, Guernsey 
county, to "Old Washington," to distinguish it from the county seat of 
Fayette county, for much trouble arose over the distribution of mails for 
these two Ohio points. The fact is, that the Ohio Legislature gave this 
town — the seat of justice of Fayette county — the name of "Washington,"' 
and also when it was incorporated in 183 1 it was incorporated as "Washing- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 347 

ton." So, legally, it has never had the "C. H." attached to it, but is so called 
by common consent. 

FIRST BUSINESS EVENTS. 

Joseph Runk was probably the first merchant in Washington C. H. 
and occupied a hewed-log building, one end of which he used for a dwelling, 
on the east corner of Main and Market streets. He began business there 
perhaps as early as 1811, and continued until 1813, when he became finan- 
cially in straits, and his property was sold to Samuel Waddle, step-father 
of Judge D. McLain. About the time Runk began business at the place 
above located, or probably a little later, Peter Hefley opened a small store 
on the southeast side of Court street. Henry Snyder and Jesse Mulloy ran 
a store for awhile, then Mulloy retired, and Snyder carried on the business. 
Pierce Evans came with a large stock in 18 14. He was soon followed by 
Samuel Evans and sons, from Highland county. Pierce Evans built a store 
room on the site of the old Toledo, Dayton & Baltimore depot and ran it 
until 1822, when he failed. Samuel Evans and sons continued for a time, 
sold out, and went into the tavern business on the corner of Court and Pay- 
ette. Waddle & McGara started a general country store in 181 7, the former 
running the store and the latter practicing medicine, which was continued 
until 1822. When Pierce Evans failed, his goods were taken up by John 
Boyed and the business w^as carried on for years by James Shivers, who also 
kept drugs, and when he retired he was succeeded in the drug business by 
Daniel McLain. In 1830 there was a firm by the name of John McManis 
& Company. Samuel Yeoman, William McElwain, Webster Alelvin & Com- 
pany and Henry Robinson & Company were in business about 1838-40. 

In connection with his store, Peter Hefley also sunk a tanyard in the 
space to the rear of his store room and exchanged goods for hides. In this 
manner he carried on business for several years. This was the first tan- 
yard at Washington C. H. and was started shortly after he opened his store. 
The next tannery at Washington C. H. was started by McQuita & Stran in 
1820, on the north corner of Court and North streets. This business was 
continued five or six years. In 1838 Jesse L. Millikan started a tannery on 
Main street, near the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley depot and carried on 
the business five or six years. 

Henry Fletcher, in about 181 2. opened a blacksmith shop on the south 
corner of Court and Fayette streets, which, if not the first, was among the 
very earliest blacksmith shops in Washington C. H. He carried on the busi- 
ness at this point fifteen or twenty years. 



348 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Robert Casna was the first saddler, followed by Samuel Young, George 
Upp and Robert Wilson. Doctor Baldrick was the first physician in the 
town, but stayed only a few years. He was followed by Doctor McGara. 
Baldrick was also a Presbyterian minister. Zimmerman, Benjamin and John 
Hinton, James, David and Joseph Hopkins were all physicians and early 
residents. G. Dempsey was the first school teacher and James Clark one of 
his successors. Sampson Dempsey was the first justice of the peace and 
John Pope joy the next. 

WASHINGTON C. H. IN 1815. 

The following is taken from an old account and portrays well the ap- 
pearance of the town in that early year: 

In 181 5 Washington C. H. consisted of a few scattering log houses. 
The only brick in the village was the newly completed court house. There 
were two taverns. One was kept by William Harris in the house now occu- 
pied by Mrs. Parvin, on Main street, north of the jail ; the other on the 
corner now owned by Henry Dahl, corner of Court and Main streets, by 
Jacob Jones. They were both cabins, with roofs of clapboards. In the 
winter of 1815 Thomas McDonald opened a good public house, distinguished 
by a good shingle roof, on the lot built up by Colonel Yeoman. There 
were three dry goods stores, kept by Evans & Sons, Millikan & Snyder and 
Rank & Patterson. Their entire stock would not make a wagon load. 
There crossed Court street, on the site of Robinson & Herbert's building, a 
stream called Plug run. It was spanned on the street by a puncheon bridge. 
Pleavy rains destroyed this bridge and recjuired its reconstruction. West 
of the run there were but three buildings, a saddler and gunshop on the 
south side and a cabin on the north side, where is the residence of Doctor 
Rush. The town, on Court street, extended east to the corner now owned 
by Mrs. Evans. Where Millet resides stood a tanyard and two cabins. On 
Main street there were log houses as far north as Judge Priddy's corner ; all 
beyond was woods. On Market street scattering cabins stood along from 
the corner on which stands the Methodist Episcopal church; west to the 
creek, north of Market, was a thicket where Mother Hubbard, a colored wo- 
man, shot quails and rabbits as well as a man. The grounds and residence 
of Benjamin Brown were an oak wood, in which stood the two-story log 
house of Samuel Buck, the lawyer. Henry Pursley's home stands where 
Jesse Millikan, the first clerk, recorder and postmaster, had built a two- 
story log dvv^elling. The tavern kept by Harris had for a sign the likeness 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 349 

of Monroe or Madison. The people gathering in town on Saturday to trade 
and drink, shot out one of the eyes of the sign. The town site was heavily 
wooded with white oak and for years their great stumps blocked the streets, 
wherein wagons sank axle-deep in mud. There was a one-story school 
house built of round logs upon the lot on Market street where stood the old 
Methodist Episcopal church. Scholars came to the school from the De- 
Witte settlement four miles east of Washington C. H. The town had no 
churches. Methodists and Presbyterians met at the court house and held 
prayers at private cabins. There were but three or four Baptists in the 
town, to whom Revs. Yeoman, Bell and Snelsen preached at intervals. 
Bands of Cherokees and other tribes came to town and stayed for weeks. 
In 1 813 Joseph Rank sold to Samuel Waddle inlots Nos. lo, 13, 20, 21 and 
outlots Nos. I, 6 and 20 for ten thousand dollars. The same property was 
sold by the administrator of the estate in 1824 for one thousand dollars, 
showing the depreciation in property after the war. 

In 1846 Washington C. H. contained a Presbyterian church, a Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, an academy, eight stores, two printing offices, two 
woolen factories, one saw-mill, two grist-mills and ninety-seven dwellings. 

In 1889 the city had increased to the following: The Herald, the Fay- 
ette Republican, Ohio State Register, the Commercial Bank, People's and 
Drovers' Bank, Merchants' and Farmers' Bank, a Presbyterian, Christian, 
Methodist, Catholic, two colored churches and a Baptist church ; also had 
the Janney & Manning machine shops, Fayette Creamery Company, White 
& Ballard's shoe factory, a sash, door and blind factory by A. Coffman & 
Company, the Ludlow soap factory, and flouring mills. As late as the 
nineties on the last Tuesday in every month there was held a public stock 
sale in the streets of the city, and on some occasions as high as six thousand 
four hundred head of cattle were sold in a single day. 

FIRST AND EARLY EVENTS. 

It seems pretty well established that the following are among the first 
events of the city : 

The first white man's house was built by and for a Mr. Crusuer. It 
was erected in 1807 of rough logs cut from the forest where it stood. 

The first store was kept by Joseph Houk ; the second by Peter Hofler, 
after which came ^Messrs. Robert Waddell, Pearson and John Evans. 

The pioneer saddler and harness-maker was Robert Casna. 

The earliest physician to practice the healing art was Doctor Baldrich, 



3SO 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



who was also a Presbvterian minister of some historic note. The next phy- 
sician was Doctor McGarrangh (sometimes spelled McGara). 

The first school teacher was G. Dempsey and the second was James 
Clark. 

The first blacksmith to wield the sledge and blow the forge was Henry 
Fishier. 

The first to run a meat business was Samuel Fisk. 

The first hatters were John Wilbright and Peter Gray. 

The first tailors were G. Bloomer and S. Dempsey. 

The first lawver was Wade Loofborrow and the next was Samuel 
Buck, an account of whom will be found in the Bar chapter, and of him a 
good incident is told of how he was elected prosecuting attorney. 

Natural gas was first piped into Washington C. H. in 19 lo, from the 
east, Ohio and West Virginia. 

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 

Washington C. FI. was incorporated in February, 1831, by an election 
held at the court house, when the following officers were duly elected : 
Mayor, Benjamin Hinton ; recorder, Calvin B. Woodruff; trustees (the cor- 
poration then only being a town or village), Thomas McGarraugh, William 
Halt. Jesse Millikan, Eber Patrick and James Shivers. Daniel McLain 
w^as appointed treasurer, and Arthur McArthur, marshal. 

There are no complete sets of records or election books until in later 
years, hence a complete list of mayors, etc., cannot here be given. From all 
that can be gleaned from old papers, the following served the town as 
mayors in early days : Benjamin Hinton, first, then in order came John 
Saunders, Dr. James Beard, Joseph Bell, Thomas Hall, Wade Loofbor- 
row, John McLain, who was elected in 1841. 

From 1888 to the present date the mayors of the city have been as fol- 
lows : John Millikan, 1888-90; J. B. Koontz, 1890-95; James L. Zimmer- 
man. 1895-98; V. U. Dahl, 1898-1901 ; J. T. Blackmore, 1901-3; C. C. 
Bateman, 1903-06; George F. Robinson, 1906-10; Rell G. Allen, 1910-12; 
Harve W. Smith, 1912-14; Charles F. Coffey, 1914 and still mayor. 

The city officers in October, 1914, are: Mayor, Charles F. Coffey; 
auditor, John McFadden ; service director, Charles Gesner ; safety director, 
William Dahl; city solicitor, Polk Gregg; clerk of the council, James Flynn ; 
clerk of the service directory, Ray Maddox ; health officer, John Bryan ; 
city engineer, Bert Jacobs ; treasurer, William Dwer. City council : Dr. L. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 351- 

P. Howe, Clark Rowe, William Sheets, James Whelpley. Peter Tracy, Mil- 
ton Tracy, Taylor Veal : president of council, Al Melvin. There are three 
regular policemen: D. L. Moore (chief), John Bond, Noah Bell, and an 
extra in the person of Stewart Judy. 

CITY FINANCES. 

The city's present indebtedness is about $250,000. The following was 

the statement, or report rendered in Sptember, 19 14, by thecity auditor, 
showing some interesting details : 

General Safety Health License 

Fund. Fund. Fund. Fund. 

Balance Sept. i $1,613.33 $1,914.58 $187.71 $2,339.69 

Receipts in Sept. 407.05 101.68 

Total $2,020.38 $1,914.58 $187.71 $2,441.37 

Expenditures in Sept. 1,038.41 1,170.56 35-33 940-57 

Balance Sept. 30 $ 981.97 $ 744.02 $162.39 $1,500.80 

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The organization of the Reliance Fire Engine, Hook and Ladder, and 
Hose Company took place at the court house Friday evening, September 20, 
1872. Officers were elected and preparations made. On November 4, 1872, 
the city was divided into four fire wards, Court street being the dividing 
line. The first ward composed that portion of the city lying north of Court 
street and east of Fayette ; the second ward consisted of the territory lying 
north of Court and west of Fayette ; the third occupied that part of the city 
lying south of Court and west of Fayette; and the fourth comprised the 
remainder of the corporation lying south of Court and east (ff Fayette. 
Great changes have been wrought in the city and its territory since then. 
The present fire company is among the good ones of cities of the class in 
which Washington C. H. is placed. It has seen many fires and been active 
and always on the alert for the firebugs and their work. At present the 
crew consists of Chief Gig Paul, who has been in service for the last twenty 
years and who is the right man in the right place. His assistants are Lem 
Mayo, Ernest Rodgers and Earl Leach. One team is kept by the city for the 
use of the department, and in December, 191 3, the city purchased a splendid 



352 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Ahrens-Fox automobile fire truck of the celebrated makers at Cincinnati, the 
expense being ten thousand dollars. It is a splendid modern piece of fire- 
fighting machinery, and at the fire alarm is on the scene of the fire in won- 
derfully quick time. It carries a large amount of hose, and has as its chief 
feature an excellent pump capable of forcing water over the top of the 
Goddess of Liberty on the dome of the court house if occasion should 
demand so great a force. The department is equipped with one thousand 
eight hundred feet of new and six hundred feet of partly worn hose; also 
any amount of common hook-and-ladder appliances. Aside from the men 
named, the company is made up of citizen volunteers who act in harmony 
with the chief and his regular crew of firemen. There are now one hundred 
and forty-five fire plugs or street hydrants in use in the city. 

SOME EARLY-DAY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. 

April 13, 183 1, by an ordinance it was required of every groceryman 
who desired to sell intoxicating liquors from his stock to procure a license 
of the town, which cost him three dollars and seventy-five cents. 

April 28, 1832, when the town was only a year old, as an incorpora- 
tion, it was resolved that no license should be given to any person to sell 
liquor in the limits of the town, after July of that year. 

May 19, 1833, Henry Phelps, Norman F. Jones, Wade Loofborrow 
and Jesse Millikan were allowed nine dollars and thirty-seven cents for their 
interest in the fire engine "Leo," which they had purchased of W. H. H. 
Pinney. The same year, at an expense of thirty-nine dollars, the town 
built a fire engine house, eight by fourteen feet in size. 

In 1834 it was ordered that ten ladders be made at once for the use of 
the firemen. 

June 3, 1843, it was ordered that a levy of one mill be made for cor- 
poration purposes. 

March 28, 1845, i^ ^^'^^ ordered by an ordinance that it was lawful to 
kill any dog running at large in town for the following three months. It is 
not stated whether the council were given medals for this act or not. 

August 7, 1848, the council adopted rules and regulations for the gov- 
ernment of Washington Fire Company, which was duly organized under 
the act of General Assembly, March, 1843. 

November 15, 185 1, the mayor and recorder were instructed to grant 
the right-of-way through the town to the Cincinnati, Zanesville & Wil- 
mington railroad, the same to run on the north side of East street. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.. 353 

In 1852 the tax levy was raised to three mills on a dollar. 

The same year an ordinance was passed prohibiting the sale of intoxi- 
cating drinks in the town. 

December 2, 1852, one thousand two hundred and t\Aenty-five dollars 
were ordered ]jaid to a Cincinnati firm for the hre-engine. hose, reel and hose 
carriage. William Burnett was also paid twenty-five dollars for bringing 
the fire-engine from Cincinnati by wagon. 

In March, 1855, another liquor prohibition ordinance was passed, but 
owing to the courts saying it conflicted with a state law, it was never en- 
forced. 

July 16, 1858. an ordinance was passed prohiliiting the flying of kites 
within the town, the penalty Ijeing a fine of not less than fifty cents and not 
over five dollars. The boy of today would certainlv rel)el, on the ground 
of conflicting with his "personal liberty." 

As late as 1863 they had to have an ordinance to prevent the running 
at large of swine in the streets of this town. 

In 1868 it was unlawful to be a vagrant in the town, and the act of 
prostitution came in under the same head and subject to the same fine. 

In 1870 the council passed an ordinance prohibiting the stores and 
shops from opening on the first day of the week — Sunday, commonly known. 

In January, 1875, the first regular board of health was created here. 

May II, 1875, an ordinance was passed permitting the Washington 
Gas and Light Company to establish their works within the city. 

August 14, 1876. an ordinance was passed prohibiting "fast driving" 
in the streets. 

January 4, 1875, the council granted the fire company the right to pur- 
chase a steam fire-engine, in place of the old Babcock engine then in use. 

Union township and the city went "dry" (saloonless) in 1906 by four 
hundred and twenty-six majority and still remains in the dry cokimn. 

OLD TIMES. 

From an old issue of the Fayrttc County Herald the following is taken: 
An old friend from the country, who had lived in the county from the 
time of its organization, was sitting in our oflice the other day and looking 
across the street at the old Parvin building, which was made of hewed logs 
and weather-boarded up. noticed that the boards were torn ofl and the 
logs exposed, said that his mind was carried back sixty years or more, when 
the old log house was occupied b}' the late John Popejoy as a tavern ; and, 

(23) 



354 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

said he, "When we youngsters used to come here to muster, we used to buy- 
whiskey of John and pay him in Piatt shinplasters, and he would stick the 
currency between a crack in the logs and the mischievous young soldiers 
would take the same currency from its depository and buy more whiskey 
with it from old John." 

This log house was the last relic of the olden times in the town and has 
been long since removed. It was erected in 1811, from logs which were 
cut from the ground on which it stood. It was the first hotel in Washing- 
ton C. H. 

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 

In the early settlement of Fayette county the work of manufacturing 
woolen goods was all done by hand, hand-cards, the common spinning wheel 
and the loom, and if any fulling, it was done by the feet on the floor. The 
first advance was said to have been a set of roll-cards, propelled by horse- 
power, introduced about the year 1814 by a Mr. Lupton, from Clinton 
county, Ohio. This manufactory was located in the eastern part of Wash- 
ington C. H. The business was continued for some three or four years, 
when the machinery was sold and removed out of the county. In the year 
1S25 Dr. Thomas McGara and Joseph Elliott erected a building in the cen- 
tral part of town for the same purpose. It was limited in capacity and con- 
tinued for about three years, when it was sold to Andrew Holt, who pur- 
chased a lot near the old graveyard and erected a large frame building in 
which to carry on the business. After running it two or three years, in 
about 1830, he sold it to Eber Patrick, who continued in the same place, 
with the exception of one or two years, while it was in the hands of J. 
Webster, until the year 1843, when he sold the entire premises and machin- 
ery to John and William Robinson, who immediately introduced steam 
power. They also added fulling, dyeing and finishing. 

In 1832 Judge D. McLain purchased a full set of cards, with an outfit 
for fulling, dyeing and finishing. His building was on lot No. 5, Court 
street. He continued the business for five or six years and then sold out 
to Mr. Walker, formerly of Washington C. H., who moved the machinery 
to Indiana. 

Samuel Lydy bought one set of cards of E. Patrick and introduced 
steam power, probably the first in the county. In a short time it was pur- 
chased by Robert Robinson & Son (Henry), and was controlled by them 
until 1845, when the building and power were sold to Weller & Mizer for 
a blacksmith shop, and the machinery was abandoned and sold for old iron. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 355 

Soon after this J. and W. Robinson purchased the premises of Eber Pat- 
rick and added some spinning machinery, yet on a limited scale. In 1848 
James Pursell and J. Bohrer bought the interest of William Robinson, 
again machinery was introduced for carding and also a new jack for spin- 
ning. 

in 1850 the firm was known as Pursell & McElwain. They added to 
the machinery and by procuring skilled workmen kept, or increased, the 
home manufacture. But with the growth of the county came the railroad 
from Cincinnati and compelled the removal of the factory. In 1855 i^ 
passed into the hands of B. Pursell and George Wherritt and was removed 
to a school building on lot No. 21. In 1856 it was purchased by B. Pursell 
and George Easterbrook and in 1857 was sold to George Price, an exper- 
ienced manufacturer. In t86i it passed into the hands of I. C. Vandeman. 
The mill successively changed hands until 1880, when it was abandoned 
and the machinery sold and removed to Fort Scott, Kansas. 

What was the old distillery property was, in 1863, converted into gen- 
eral wood-working factory, known as the hub works, sometime known as 
the handle factory, by Bybee & Shoemaker. This plant stood at the foot of 
Court street on the creek. The first season it was operated the force of 
men employed was twenty-five and the monthly pay-roll was one thousand 
dollars. Here were produced all kinds of tool handles, such as spade han- 
dles, fork handles, hammer handles, pitchfork handles, and all kinds of 
hard and soft wood turning was executed. They also made wagon and 
buggy hubs and spokes. 

Some )'ears before 1880 there had been a small stamping works here, 
conducted by a local man, but in that year a company was formed, compris- 
ing Daniel McLain, James Pursell, Stimpson Brothers, M. S. Sager, Mills 
Gardner and George Dahl. The capital stock was twenty thousand dollars. 
Numerous articles of metal were stamped out for the market. Heavy 
presses were in operation and an extensive trade was worked up in the line. 

The Herald of October, 1881, has this concerning the old mill: "The 
old mill, the first grist mill of the place, on Paint creek, known as the 
Millikan mill, has been running sixty-six years under the family name. It 
was built by Jesse Millikan, Sr., one of the pioneers of Wahsington C. H.. 
and has been operated by some member of the Millikan family ever since 
1815. For many years it was run by use of an undershot water wheel, and 
later an improved wheel was installed and used until 1851, when steam 
was introduced first in the mill, and after a number of years it was run 



356 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

partly by steam and part of the time by water, but late years by steam en- 
tireh'. The same engine and forty- foot boiler first employed is still in use, 
having been in actual service thirty years. The mill has excellent niachin- 
erv, and \\as for years operated day and night in order to keep up with the 
custom it had from far and near. John Millikan is now superintendent of 
the mill." 

INDUSTRIES OF I9OI. 

The files of the newspapers disclose the follo\Aing concerning tlie \arinus 
important industries in Washington C. H. in jgoi : The J. J. Wills great 
lumber mills, established in 1896, running day and night to ket']) abead of 
their orders from all sections of the country and for export transactions. 
Seventy-five workmen were constantly employed and from thirty to hftv 
car loads of lumber were shipped out each month. Only the best and bnest 
grades were shipped. The same compau}- also operated an imuien>e chair 
factory which used up the smaller, but none the less \-aluable, ])icces of 
lumber here cut. Here the annual output was immense. One hundred and 
ten men were employed in the chair factory alone. This factorv was burned 
in Ma}', lyco, at a loss of fift}' tliousand dollars, but was rcl)uilt again. 

The Wonder Stove Factory was in operation and produced many kinds, 
grades and sizes of heating stoves. The annual output was twenty-five 
thousand dollars. Sixty men were constantly employed in these stove works. 

The Washington Milling Conipan\-, by O. K. and \^^ \\'. (iwinn. were 
making three hundred and fifty barrels of family flour daily. They also 
operated their immense grain elevator in connection with their mills. 

The Ludlow Soap Factory, owned and operated solely by Hon. Mills 
Gardner, was among the great industries of that day. 

The Washington Ice Company, producing artificial ice, had a capacity 
of fifteen tons daily. They stored seven hundred tons for reserve stock for 
summer use. Clarence Baer was then manager. 

The Washington Mitten Factory was in full blast and their product 
went all over the central Western states. 

White Brothers" shoe factory was then running successfully. Also 
Bachel's carriage factory and two firms were doing an immense business in 
the manufacture of farm and garden fertilizers. These were M. Hamm & 
Company and the Dahl, Miller Company. 

The Smead hot water heating plant was then in its infancy and a nuich- 
talked-of concern and interested the ])ublic gentrall}'. Col. Isaac 1). Smead 
was the inventor and owner of the concern. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 357 

The Washington Machine Shops were doing a large bnsiness. 

Another great indnstry, in its Hne, is the canning factory, where im- 
mense cjuantities of corn, etc., are annnally canned and placed on the gen- 
eral markets of the world. This has been in operation a number of years. 
There ha\e been several organized corporations in this factory, but a re- 
organization was effected in 1912, better than ever before. The capital and 
prime movers in this factory were capitalists from Circleville. In the can- 
ning" season, \\hich is necessarih' a few weeks at most, employment is given 
to many men, w^omen and young people. It is a strictly up-to-date plant, 
whose brand of corn is known far and wide. The original plant cost forty 
thousand dollars, lliat was sold in 191 1 to Circlexille capitalists. The orig- 
inal Company were forced into the hands of a receixer and it was sold at 
twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars. 

The packing house plant of C. H. Brownell & Sons is one of the 
largest in this section of Ohio, and here tons and train- loads of poultrv 
are liought, packed and shipped to the far-away markets of the country. 
They have a modern plant and produce their own ice for refrigerating pur- 
poses. Unlike the ordinary packing plant, this is thoroughly sanitary and 
clean throughout and is operated on a modern Ijusiness system, with none 
but the best of help employed. Among the produce here handled may be 
named butter, eggs, poultry and calves. 

THE GREAT COMBINATION SALES STABLES. 

Perhaps the largest single barn or sale-stable for live stock in all 
America is at Washington C. H. The company which built it w^as incor- 
porated in November. 1905, with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars. Its 
first officers were : H. F. Dahl, president ; William Worthington, treas- 
urer : ("harles Willard. secretary. It was designed for a public sale stable 
where ])ul)lic sale (^f horses, cattle and hogs might be held. It is a building- 
one hundred b^' six hundred feet in dimension. The shares of stock were 
issued in sums of one hundred dollars each and w^ere freely taken by home 
people. The structure is a favorite of the stock lovers and buyers and 
sellers all over Ohio. Immense sales are here had. The building is nicely 
heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Galleries are provided for spec- 
tators and purchasers, including the ladies. The location of this barn is at 
the foot of Fayette street. 

In 1907 the original corporation failed to agree and the com])any w^as 



35^ FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

reorganized and is still in existence, but owned individually, carrying on the 
enterprise of public stock sales. 

PROPOSED CAR LINES. 

.\ traction car line was proposed from Washington C H. to Maysville, 
Kentucky, in 1903 and great promises were held out and work commenced, 
but this, like two or three other similar projects, fell through. Such a line 
is needed and may in time enter the city from one or more directions. 

The same year an attempt to secure a street car line here was made. 
In fact, the preliminary work was all done, several car loads of ties and 
steel rails were unloaded along the proposed route, which was to run from 
the cemetery on down throughout the city, running" on different streets and 
having a total of four miles in the corporate limits. The Appleyard Con- 
struction Company held contracts and were to have twenty-five thousand 
dollars for the work of completing it by July 4. 1903. Messrs. S. W. Cissna, 
James A. McLean, J. W. Willis and Capt. E. A. Ramsey held a three-year 
franchise on the line, which, however, was abandoned and never constructed. 

There ha\e 1)een numerous interurban lines projected through this part 
of Ohio, some of which had marked Washington C. H. as one of the points 
on the line, l^ut so far nothing has materialized. 

NATURAL GA.S PROSPECTED FOR. 

In 1902 there was much enthusiasm and excitement o\er Ijoring For oil 
and natural gas in this city and other sections of the count}'. A company was 
formed with a capital of forty thousand dollars at Washington C. H. The 
object \\as to drill for oil and gas and lay pipes in the streets for heating and 
lighting purposes. Sexeral wells were sunk, including a \ery deep one at 
P)uena \'ista. Many thousand dollars were ex])en(led, Imt no paying gas or 
oil was e\'er oljtained and the enterprise was finalh' al)andoned. A few years 
later pipes were laid and natural gas was ])i])cd into the city from eastern 
and southern fields, so that the city has the ad\'antage of such natural ])rod- 
ucts, for both heat and light. 1'he Standard Oil Com])any secured a fran- 
chise by which these pipe lines entered the cit}'. 

The \\'ashington Cas and Electric Company was (organized and incor- 
porated Alay II, 1875.. and at first the\- charged ten dollars per thousand 
cubic ftet, a \er\ exorbitant rate, but by 1901 it was lowered to one dollar 
and thirty cents for illuminating purposes and one dollar for cooking uses. 



FAYKTTE COrNTV, OHIO. ^cn 

.\t first "oil-gas," made from crude oil, was used iu the manufacture of the 
i^as supphed the city. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS IN I913-I4. 

The list of business factors in Washington C. H. in the above date run 
as follows: Five banks (see banking chapter) and the usual number of re- 
tail and wholesale stores, with factories, etc., as follows: Washington gas 
and electric light plant; Washington Milling Companv; Bachert's carriage 
factory; Byron Sign and Mirror Works: Craig Manufacturing Company; 
tile works, by James L. Dodd ; buggies, by W. B. P:rskine : hard woods and 
manufacture of same; Hagerty Shoe Company; cement blocks and silo 
works, A. C. Henkle; Inskip Manufacturing Company; Ireland Manufac- 
turing Company; brick-making plant, by J. E. Lamus & Company; E. L. 
Miller, fertilizer factory; New Wonder Company, makers of heating stoves; 
mill work, by Parker & Wood; Purcell Blacking Company; Washington 
Concrete Block Company; Washington Manufacturing Company; broom 
factory, by J. B. York; the artificial ice company's plant; the Brownell Pack- 
ing Company, and possibly a few more lesser concerns. 

Both the water works and electric lighting plants are prixate corpora- 
tions, and have never been under municipal control or .ownership, only so 
far as the franchises are concerned. 

THE WASHINGTON CEMETERY. 

Perhaps no one thing bespeaks more for the refinement and intelli- 
gence of any given community than to note the interest manifested by a 
community in properly caring for its departed dead. This distinguishes the 
savage from the enlightened and civilized peoples of the earth. To see the 
living go weekly, monthly and annually to the silent city of the tlead. and 
there smooth down the mounds, plant flowers and, with true afi'ection and 
tenderness, make pleasing and attractive the graves of those wiio have been 
there entombed, sleeping the sleep that knows no waking, is an index of 
Christian civilization. 

Washington cemetery was platted in 1856 by Hon. James Puesell, 
Judge Daniel McLain, Capt. J. H. Robinson, Curren Alillikan, Alfred Ogle 
and a few other citizens. Land w^as purchased of Judge McLain. First 
ten acres were set apart for burying ground purposes, but soon it was in- 
creased to thirty acres. It was surveyed and platted by Cai)t. lohn Vi. 



3-60 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Bell. Lots sokl at from ten to forty dollars each. As soon as organi.zed 
by the A\"ashington Cemetery Association, the grounds v. ere wisely turned 
over, under lawful proxisions, to tlie city and townshi]), who have, through 
a board of trustees, ever since had charge of the same. The hrst superin- 
tendent was AV. R. Ely, who held the position many years and was succeeded 
by James Holmes, ^^ho held it fourteen years, up to 1897. Under him the 
first real improvements upon these sacred grouiuls was effected. Next 
came George (/iOssard, wh ) made an en\-iable record in that he went about 
improving after the latest methods and put the grounds in most excellent 
condition. Xo^\• one hnds one of the handsomest cemetery grounds in all 
Ohio, outside the ^•ery large cities. Beautiful driveways, lawns, artificial 
lakes, ' four.tains rare and l:eautiful shrubs, trees and dowers make the place 
to compare very fa\orabh- ^\•ith the glooni}- appearance of man}- another 
Ohio burving ground. The fountain was erected in i8q2. A good stone 
vault for receiving purjioses is here much appreciated by those who want 
to inter onlv tem])orarily. During the present year (1014) there is being 
finished a spacious cUid massixe stone structure known as the Washington 
Memorial, which is really a modern constructed masoleum, which is tl^e 
propertA- of a company incorporated for the purpose. 

The Doctor Judy Memorial is another improvement. The corner stone 
of this building was laid with Masonic rites in October, UJ05. The address 
w\as gi\-en hx Dr. J. C. Arbuckle. Hon. Mills (iardner acted as grand mas- 
ter, and placed the square copper casket in the stone, after tlie imposing 
Masonic ceremonies. The stone was then anointed with wine, corn and oil, 
also receiving the blessing of the grand master. In this casket were depos- 
ited copies of the local newspapers, the Masonic calendar, a copy of the 
Bible, and the square and compass; Dr. Judy's diploma, a photograph and- a 
few of his cherished relics made u]) the contents of the box. 

POSTOFFICE HI.STORY. 

A postofiice was esta1)lislied at Washington C. H. in 181 3 and, accord- 
ing to recent records furnished by the department at Washington, D. C, 
the following ha\e served as ])ostniasters from that dav to this: Jesse 
Millikan. julw 1813; S. A. Smith. September, 1835: A\'ade LooflJorrow^ 
September 20, 1838; S. F. Yeoman, June 12, 1841 ; J. C. Bell, December 
12, 1842; Richard Millikan, April 28, 1849; C. H. Bell, May 30. 1853; 
John Sanders, November 11, 1858; James F. Ely, February 28, 1859; Edgar 
Plumb, April 10, 1861 ; H. S. Robinson, April 23, 1866; T. D. ]\IcElwain, 




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FAYETTE COUNTY, ©HIO. 361 

December 20, 1883; J. W. Deer, March 22, 1887; C. D. Smith, August 17, 
1889; R. B. Pahiier, August 29, 1894; J. G. Gest, January 28, 1899; John 
H. Culhan, April 10, 1907, still serving. 

This office is of the second class. It became a free delivery office in 
1891. Its first rural free delivery system to country routes became effective 
in 19CO. Its business has greatly increased since the days of postal sav- 
ings, parcel post, and other modern facilities afforded by the postoffice de- 
partment. During the year ending June 30, 1914, the business of this post- 
office, aside from its large money order business, amounted to $24,721.62. 
Postal savings deposits in October, 19 14, were $815.00. 

Since January, 1907, the postoffice lias been kept in the Soldier's Me- 
morial Hall block on Court street. The following are the members of the 
office force of employes: Postmaster, John H. Culhan; deputy postmaster, 
Glenn B. Rodgers : clerks. Howard C. Allen, James E. Bush, Walter W. 
Miller, ]\Iary C. Pinkerton. W^alter li. Robinson ; substitutes, Everett E. 
Cory, Charles V. Sexton. Rural carriers (October, 19 14), Wheeler G. 
Bay, Perale Shears, John W. Wayer, William Stukey, E. E. Welsheimer, 
Curtis W. Roler, A. J. Thompson. E. M. Neal, H. A. Wiatt, Edward M. 
Ortman: sul)stitutes, D. AW Ellis, T. A. Gray, Roy Thompson, D. E. Mer- 
shon, R. C. Mershon, Frank E. Wiatt : citv carriers, Billie E. Paul. M. ]\I. 
Barrere, Logan Buzick, H. D. Smith, Robert F. Wilson; substitutes. W. T. 
Bray, Harry E. Sprenger. 

This office is well kept under the administration of the present post- 
master. Perhaps no office in Ohio is looked after in better manner. The 
numerous mails recei\ed and discharged e\'ery twenty-four hours are han- 
dled witli (lis])atcb.. Under an order from tlie department, in May.- 191 1. the 
ofiice is not required to be open on Sunday, though the lobl^y is open for 
those who may have lock boxes. 

An appropriation has been made for eighty thousand dollars for a 
E'nited States postoffice building at this point. The site has been secured at 
the southeast corner of Market and Hinde streets. The grounds cost about 
fifteen thousand dollars, so the building will cost about sixty-five thousand 
dollars and is supposed to be completed in 191 6. 

In these days of fast-flying mail trains over the various steam road.s 
that gridiron this county, it may not come amiss to mention the fact that in 
1838 Postmaster S. A. Smith, then postmaster in Washington C. H., adver- 
tised his "mail arrangements" as follo\\s : Eastern mail arrives every 
Monday, AA^ednesda}- and Frida}- evenings, and closes at 9 o'clock P. M. ; 



362 FAV^ETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

Western mails arrive every Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights; Chilli- 
cothe mail leaves every Tuesday and Friday at 12 m, and arrives Wednes- 
days and Saturdays at 3 P. M. The mail from Washington C. H. to 
Decatur, via Hillsboro, leaves every Friday at 12 M., and returns every 
Monday at 12 M. ; Columbus mail departs every Tuesday at 5 A. M., re- 
turns every Thursday at 8 P. M. 

THE CYCLONE OF 1885. 

A terrible cyclone visited Fayette county on the evening of September 
8, 1885, killing six persons, injuring others and destroying property amount- 
ing in value to almost a half million dollars. This storm had its origin in 
Greene county and struck Fayette county in Jasper township, arriving at 
Washington C. H. by five minutes past eight o'clock P. M.. lea\'ing a track 
of devastation for the twelve miles of its pathway in this county. One writer 
described it as looking like a huge elephant's trunk, the lower end of which 
dipped dow^n, first to the right then to the left hand. Another said it re- 
sembled "3. great luminous hornet's-nest, whirling in the heavens in frantic 
fury." 

Henry Howe, the noted Ohio liistorian, mentions this storm in lan- 
guage as follows : "Al^out fi\e minutes past eight the rain commenced falling 
in tc^rrents and tlu' slorni burst upon tlie town with terrible roaring, amidst 
which could be heard the falling of walls, crashing of timbers and smashing 
of glass, while tlie earth seemed to swa}^ and reel under the force of the 
discordant elements. This lasted about one minute, when the storm passed 
over, but the rain continued to fall in torrents. 

"The entire western, southern and central parts of the town were swept 
by the storm and within that territor}-, which included the business portion, 
very few escaped injury and loss by property destroyed. 

"Along the course of the storm in the county whole farms were de- 
stroyed, buildings blown down and fields mowed clean of all vegetation; 
corn not only blown from the stalks, but in some instances completely 
husked; patches of timlier literally mowed down and barns and stock and 
stacks blown to atoms. On the farm of Jesse Bush, three miles from Wash- 
ington C. H., blades of straw were found blown end-wise into trees to the 
depth of a half inch ; in another place a piece of pine fence-board was found 
with a piece of tarred roofing paper driven into it three- fourths of an inch 
and firmly imbedded. A train of cars standing on the bridge on the South- 
ern Ohio railroad was blown from the track. An apple tree in the yard of 



FAVKTTE COUNTY. OHIO. 363 

Mrs. Lou Harris, the milliner on Fayette street, was driven from two to 
three feet into the ground without breaking a single bough of it. A car- 
load of tin roofing and cornice was gathered up on a farm eighteen miles 
distant from Washington C. H., where it was kept by dealers. 

"Besides these curious freaks of the great storm, illustrating the power 
and which are verified l)y thoroughly trustworthy parties, may be mentioned 
one of numerous cases of heroism which transpired. Miss Lucv Pine, a 
school teacher, was left in charge of her sister's children, two boys respect- 
ively a year and a half and three years of age. The babies had been put to 
])ed ; when the stomi came up Miss Pine rushed to them and as the roof 
had been taken off, she leaned over the bed, receiving the weight of the fall- 
ing joist upon her back, and thus saved their lives. By pressing dow'n the 
springs of the bed she was enabled to extricate them and herself from their 
perilous position." 

This wind destroyed the First Baptist and Catholic churches, the mas- 
sive brick chapel at the Catholic cemetery, a part of which high walls are 
still standing, as left by that stonn a quarter of a centurv ago. and mav 
easily be seen from the railroad trains as one enters or departs from the 
city. It also destroyed many of the best Inisiness blocks in the city, proper. 
There are now placed behind glass, in a huge frame attached to the hall- 
way of the court house, some twenty or thirty photographic views of the 
wreckage caused in and near Washington C. H. 

LAST SW]:K1'IXG COXFl.AGKATIOX. 

The last great fire in the city occurred on the eve of one of the closing;- 
days on 191 1, when a fire originated in the large department store of A[r. 
Stutson, at a point somewhere in the ]>asement, among boxes and waste 
paper. It was at eight o'clock in the evening on Saturday when the store 
was all aglow w^th lights and the busy clerks w-ere waiting on customers. 
As soon as it w^as known that the fire w^as serious, all the lady clerks and 
others put on their wrajxs and headed for the streets. The home fire com- 
pany did all in its j^ower and neighboring cities were asked to assist and 
did so promptl}-. but before the fire could l)e checked over two hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars W'orth of property, in the center of the business por- 
tion of the city, was destroyed. Fifty-six insurance companies had lo'sses 
to pay, but e\'en then the actual loss to owners was not half covered, all items 
of value counted in. A half square of business blocks was totally ruined. 
This section of the city included the Masonic building, Stutson's great de- 



364 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

* 

partment store, the Favette County Hardware store, Dahl-Millikan whole- 
sale grocery store, bnildino; and total contents, the Imperial Hotel, Judy's 
building and others. 

The militia company was ordered out to keep the spectators from get- 
ting too near the fire and being injured. It was a night long to be remem- 
bered in the city. Several accidents occurred, but no deaths. Many were 
the heroic acts of that memorable evening. The light, inflammable mater- 
ials of the department store caused that building to be consumed within a 
half hour, and soon thereafter the walls fell to the earth, the front falling 
into the street. In the stock, as well as in that carried by the hardware and 
wholesale grocery, there was a large amount of fireworks and ammunition, 
cartridges, etc., ^vhich were fired ofi:', making bad wreckage and consterna- 
tion among the people present. Moor after floor of the Masonic building 
fell in and with that was th.e loss of much valuable secret society property 
and ofiice fixtures of business and pr()fessional men. .\mong the ammuni- 
tion Avere seventy-five thousand rounds of cartridges. 

\\'here stood those buildings, within a year or so were reared better 
and more nearlv fire-proof structures, so today the passerby would not know 
of that awful fire of 11,111. 

PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

The Carnegie public lil:)rary at A\'ashington C. II. is another one of the 
mstitutions of the j)lace that the pe(jple take a just infide in. It was made 
possible through the gift of .\ndrew Carnegie, of Pittsburg. Prior to the 
founding of this ])ermanent lil^rary the citv onl}' had a small circulating 
librarv. Agitati(jn was first Ijegun in 1899 ^^'^^ efforts were made to induce 
the great lil)rary gi\er t(j aid in furnishing such an institution for this city. 
In 1901 the following letter was received from his agent in New York City: 
".\. S. liallard, Esq.. Washington (\:)urt House, Ohio: 

"Dear Sir — Replying to your letter — if the city of Washington will 
provide a suitable site and pledge itself by resolution of council to support a 
free librar\- at a cost of $1,200 a }ear, Mr. Carnegie will be. pleased to provide 
a vSi2.0Qo room for a free lil)rarv. 

"Respectfully. 
"James Bertram, 

"P. Secretary." 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 36 ^ 

The proposition was at once accepted and the building was constructed 
after the usual Carnegie plans for libraries in cities of this class. It stands 
on the corner of \orth and East streets. The president of the librarv 
board at the time was Col. B. H. Millikan. The Jenkins lots were secured 
at a cost of two thousand eight hundred dollars. This is a -valuable prop- 
ert>- and is handsomel\- supported ])\ a small annual tax levied on all taxable 
property in the cit}-. Its total cost was twenty-five thousand dollars. In 
1904, when it was thrown open to the public, it contained four thousand five 
hundred volumes. In the autumn of 19 14 it had six thousand volumes and 
munerous magazines, etc., additional. The board was then made up as fol- 
lows: President, Earl Barnett; treasurer. Miss Gertrude Gardner; secre- 
tary, George Hitchcock; Miss Florence Ustick, D. Chaffin. The librarians 
have been, since the present library was opened. Miss Kate M. Dixon, 
Corene Metz. Bessie B. Kerr and the present efficient librarian. Miss Mary 
Elizabeth Johnson, who entered upon her duties February 9, 1914. 




t/iaf'j^rfj ■7/^ rf j^i 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



MORRIS SHARP. 

The success of men in business or any vocation depends upon character 
as wel! as upon knowledge, it being a self-evident proposition that honesty 
and uprightness is held in higher value than the opposite qualities. Busmess 
demands confidence, and where that is lacking business ends. In every 
community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common 
sense and moral worth rather than for the wealth or political staiiding the}- 
may possess. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them, the younger 
generations heed their example, and when they "wraj) the drapery of tlieir 
couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams" posterity listens with 
reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men 
of a past generation in Fayette county was the late Morris Sharp, who was 
not only a progressive man of affairs, successful in material pursuits, hut a 
man of modest and unassuming demeanor, well educated, a fine type of the 
reliable, self-made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults 
of his neighbors and one who always stood ready to unite with them in 
eveiT good work and active in the support of laudable public enterprises. 
He was a man who in every respect merited the liigh esteem in which he was 
universally held, for he was a man of public spirit, intellectual attainments 
and exemplary character. 

Morris Sharp was born in A])erdeen. Rrown county, Oliio. on August 
30. 1838, and was the son of Morgan and iM-ances ( \\'arren ) Sharp. These 
parents were natives, respectively, of Fayette county. Pennsvlvania. and Ken- 
tuck}^ and were the parents of three children, namely : Morris, to whom this 
memoir is chiefly devoted : Susanna, who married J. H. Baker, of Jamestown. 
and Samuel, who died in early childhood. In 1851 Morgan Sharp and his wife 
came to Jamestown, Greene county, Ohio, where they settled and remained 
some years, eventually removing to Washington C. H., where thQx made 



368 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

their home with their son Alorris until their deaths. Morgan Shar[) had 
passed an aetive and strenuous hfe, having served as a pilot on steamboats 
running from Cincinnati to New Orleans for twenty-two years, during 
which period he lived at Aberdeen, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. After 
1851, for some years, he and his son Morris were engaged in the mercantile 
business at Jamestown.' He was a man of- strong' character and enjoyed 
universal respect. 

Morris Sharp's paternal grandfather, Samuel Sharn, was born in 1780 
and died in Jamestown, Ohio, in 1846. He and his wife, wh<3se maiden name 
had been Susanna Cook, moved from Fayette county, Pennsyhania, to 
Brown county, Ohio, and thence to Jamestown, which was their last resting 
place. They were the parents of nine children, Morgan, hdiza, Thomas, 
Lydia, Henry, Susan, Samuel, Melissa and one who died in infanc\'. Susanna 
Cook was, on the maternal side, descended from th.e Co])es, whose history- 
dates back to Oliver Cope, who came from Wilshire, England, and settled 
near Philadelphia, Pennsyhania, locating with his wife and children, on 
Naaman's creek in about 1688. 

Morris Sharp was about nin.e years of age when his [)arent> rem»^\ed 
from Aberdeen to Covington, Kentucky, whence the\' went to Jamestown, 
Ohio, and in the schools of the latter place he received his education. Upon 
leaving school he became associated with his father in the mercantile business, 
but a few years later, on account of the failure of his health, he \va,> com- 
pelled to change his vocation and for several years he was engaged in the 
banking business there, serving as cashier of the Farmers' and Traders' Dank 
from 1867 to 1873. In the year last mentioned Mr. Sharp came to Washing- 
ton C. H., and became cashier of the Merchants' and Traders' Bank and later 
president of the Commercial Bank, which he organized. He quicklx' liecame 
recognized here as a man of unusual business ability and sagacity and was 
numbered among the foremost citizens of his adopted city. He remained 
closely and actively identified with banking interests here up to thti time of 
his death, which occurred on February 5, 1905, in the sixty-seventh year of 
his age. Besides his bank holdings, Mr. Sharp had other material interests, 
being the owner of extensive tracts of farm lands. His career was a long, 
and useful one, and although he devoted his attention jH-imarily to his indi- 
vidual affairs, as is cpiite natural and right, he never allowed the pursuit of 
wealth to warp his kindly nature, but preserved his faculties and the warmth 
of his heart for the broadening and helpful influences of human life, being 
to the end a kindly, genial friend and gentleman, with whom it was a pleasure 



FAYETTE COV'ST\, OHIO. 369 

to associate, llirou.^h the long- years of his residence in this locahtN' he 
was e\er true to all trusts re])ose(l in him and his re])ntation in a husiness 
^^•ay was unassailahle. He commanded the respect of all !)\' his npri^iit life 
and engraved his name indelibly on the pages of Fayette count\'s historw 
His career was complete and rounded in its beautiful simplicity; he did his 
full dut}' in all the relations of life, and he died beloved bv those near to 
him and respected and esteemed In' his fellow citizens. 

Morris Shar]) was a big man in other spheres than in the business world. 
He was a man of strong and honest convictions, his actions being ever the 
result of careful and conscientious thought, and on the great cjuestions of the 
da\' he took a definite stand. The cause (d" tem])erance found in him an 
earnest and elofpient advocate, who gave no thought to self when l)\- his 
personal effort the cause of temperance or ])rohibition could l)e advanced. 
His ability and acti\'e efforts were recognized and lie was ])laced in nomina- 
tion for the go\-ernorship by the Prohibition jjart}'. That he was a man of 
more than ordinary strength is shcvwn b_\' the statement that he jjolled more 
\'otes than any other candidate on the Prohibition ticket has ever received in 
the state of (3hio. 

Religiously. Mr. Shar]) ^^•as an earnest and faithful member of the 
Methodist E])isco])al church, sti])p(3rtiiig the various activities of that societ\' 
and serving" a great many years as superintendent of the Sunda\' schools in 
the different towns in wdiich he lived. 

On October 15, 1861, Morris Sharp married Afadeline r)aker, who was 
Ijorn in Jamestown, Ohio, on the 20th of December. 1838. She is the daugh- 
ter of William G. and Thirza A. fLarkin) Baker, her father being a native 
of Kentucky and her mother of Ohio. Thev are both deceased, ]\[r. Baker 
d}ing in Jamestown, Ohio, when eighty years old and Mrs. Baker at Wash- 
ington C. H., at the advanced age of eighty-seven }'ears. Afr. Baker was 
a man of versatile talents, being successful as saddler, merchant anrl farmer. 
They were the parents of seven children. JMrs. Sharp's paternal grandparents 
were William and Mary (Winans) Baker, who were nati^'es of Kentucky and 
early settlers in Jamestown, Ohio. Their children u-ere Mathias, Elizabeth, 
William, L}^dia, John, Jacol), Douglas, Andrew, Mary, Hillary and George. 
The maternal grandparents were David and Nancy (Harper) Larkin, who 
came from Harper's Ferry and settled in Clark county, Ohio. The\' had fi\e 
children. Eliza .\nn. Thirza, Synthia, Perry and Oliver. 

Mrs. Shar]) was married on the 27th of June, tqii, to Prof. William 
W. Da\'ies, who is referred to specificalh' elsewhere in this work. .She i^ a 
(24) 



370 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

lady of culture and retinement, who, because of her hos[)itable ^va^■s. her 
cheerful disposition and kindly attitude towards all whom she meets, is pop- 
ular in the circles in which she moves. She is an earnest supporter of all 
local luovements for the betterment of the community and has been an 
effectual worker in religious and charitable fields for man\- \ears. 



ELI CRAIG. 



The life history of h.im whose name heads this biographical review is 
closel}- identified with the history of Fayette county, which has been prac- 
tically his life-long home. He began his remarkable career in this localitv in 
the pioneer epoch and throughout the subsec|uent \-ears he has been closely 
allied with its interests and upbuilding. His life has been one of untiring 
activity and has been crowned with a degree of success fullv commensurate 
with his efforts. He is of the highest type of progressive citizen, and none 
more than he deser\es a fitting recognition among those whose enterprise 
and ability ha\-e achieved definite and commendable results. The cause of 
humanity never had a truer friend than Mr. Craig. In all the relations of 
life — family, church, state and society — he has displayed that consistent 
Christian spirit, that natural worth, that has endeared him alike to all classes. 
His integrity and fidelity ha\e been manifested in exerv relation of life, for 
he early learned that true happiness consisted in nunistering to others. 1 he 
example of such a life is always an inspiration to others, and his influence 
has long been felt in I^'ayette county, whose interests he has always had at 
heart and which he has done so much to promote during his acti\'e life here. 

Eli Craig is the scion of a long line of honorable ancestrv. his forl)ears 
having been identified with the settlement and development of the Bucke^'e 
state. It is a fanfily tradition, and ])robably correct, that his ])aternal great- 
grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Re\olution. The latter's 
son, John Craig, the su1)ject"s grandfather, was a natixe of Xew Jersey, as 
was his wife, Sarah .\nn Cooley. After their marriage the^' came to (3hio, 
settling in the edge of Ross county, where he became a pioneer farmer, but 
died in young manhood. His widow passed awav in middle life. They 
were the parents of the following children: David S., John, William, 
Th(^mas J., Idiompson ( w h(j is still li^•ing. at the age of eightv-seven \'ears ) 
and one who died in infanc}'. 

!)a\'id S. Craig, the subject's father, was but four ^•ears of age when 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 3/1 

br(ni.^ht to Ohio by his parents, the family settling near Greenfield, where he 
grew to manhood. When five years old he began attending school and gained 
a good practical education. After completing his studies he learned the shoe- 
maker's trade, which vocation he followed for many years. Eventuall\' he 
bought a small store in Greenfield and. in connection with his regular employ- 
ment, engaged in general merchandising. He was a man of versatile abilities 
and also learned the difficult trade of oil-cloth printing, at which he worked 
to some extent. Afterward he moved to Staunton, of which he was one of 
the first settlers, and there he carried on a successful business for some years. 
His death occurred there in i86q, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. From 
185 1 to January. 1854. he had li\ed in Indiana, where he ran a shoe shop and 
general store, but on liis return to Ohio he Ijought out his ])rothers at 
Staunton, remaining in the business there during the remainder of his life. 
Later he associated with him his sons, Eli and William, under the firm name 
of D. S. Craig (S: Sons, .\fter his death the sons continued the business 
under the same name until 1871, when it became Craig Brothers, with the 
addition of a younger brother. David H. David S. Craig married Sarah 
West, a native of Adams county, Ohio, and the daughter of Eli and Sarah 
(Guffin) West, natives, respectively, of Delaware and Kentucky. Eli West 
came to Fayette county, Ohio, in 1820. To him and his wife were born 
seven children, Elizabeth. Wesley, Amos, Sarah, Eli H., Elsie and Spencer. 
To David S. and Sarah ( West) Craig were born ten children, nameh' : Eli, 
the immetliate subject of this re\ iew : Williams; John ^V., deceased; Sarah 
Ann, \\ho married William H. Rowe; Da\'id H., of Duncan. Oklahoma; 
Elizal)eth J., wife of lliomas X^. Craig, of Washingt(^n C. H., and four who 
died in infancy. The mother of these children lived twenty-five Acars after 
the death of her husband, dving at the age of eighty-one years. 

Religiously. David S. Craig and his wife were originally members rtf 
the Methodist Episcopal church, but later he and others broke awa}- from 
the mother society and identified themselves with what was then known as 
the Radical Methodist church, now the Metliodist Protestant church, in 
which he was licensed to jjreach in 1840. However, after going to Indiana 
he reunited with the A'lethodist Episcopal church, to wdiich faith he remained 
loyal during tlie remainder of his life. 

Eli Craig was born near Good Hope. Fayette county, on January 10, 
1833. and he was reared under the parental roof, his education being secured 
in the district schools of the neighborhood. At the age of thirteen years he 
began clerking in his father's store and remained with him for many vears. 



3/2 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

finall}', as stated al)ove. l)einji" admitted into partnership in the l)n>iness. 
While H\ini^" at IStannton he ser\'ed as township treasurer and as a member 
of the school board, and also served as postmaster for seventeen years. Mr. 
Craiii;" came to Washington C. H. in the fall of 1872 and on the day of his 
arrival he v\^as appointed county treasurer to till a \'acancy. He discharged 
the duties of that office with eminent satisfaction for two years, and at the 
end of his official term he again engaged in the dry goods business, as a 
continuation of the partnership with his brothers. Williams and David H. 
However, so satisfactor}' had been his ]Kiblic service, that in i^T'S he was. b}" 
the stiffrages nf his fellow citizens, again chosen to the office of count}' 
treasurer, and was re-elected in 1880. ^Ir. Craig has continued in the dry 
goods business to the present time, a period of over forty years, his sons. 
Thomas H. and Daxid S., having been associated with him since 1883. 
During the ])ast two vears his two grandsons, Walter I), and Clarence E., also 
ha\-e been adinitted to the firm, \vhich is still known as Craig" Brothers. This 
business, w liich is one of the oldest in Fayette county, is widely and fa\'or- 
ably known m all parts of the cou.nl.\", man}' of the patrons of the store com- 
ing from distant parts of the count}'. About forty pers(jns are on the com- 
pan}'"s pay-roll, which is unmistakal)le e\idence of the extent of the l)usiness. 

Eli Craig is a man of marked public s])irit and e\'er}' mo\ement that has 
promised to be for the ach'ancement of the ])ul)lic welfare has had his lun'e- 
served support. Wben the Children's Home was established he was one of 
its first trustees and took an acti\e and prominent part in the completion of 
that splendid institution. After aliout ten years' serx'ice be resigned from 
the board, though his interest in the home never ceased. l\3liticall}', Eli 
Craig Avas originally a \\ big, but later became a Republican, which party he 
has e\'er since gi\en his support. I'raternally. he is a nieml)er of Temple 
Lodge No. ii'j. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to which fraternity he" 
has Ijelonged for fift}'-se\'en vears. Religioush', he has long been a (kwoted 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and as a trustee for o\'er forty 
years. 

On the 17th da}' of June, 1858. Eli Craig married Alar}' A. ihirnett and 
the}' Ijecame the parents of two sons, Thomas W. and David S. Thomas H. 
niarried Eliza O. Pine and tbe\' haxe six children, Walter D.. Clarence E.. 
Mar} W.. \\'inche]l. Harold and kobert. I )a\'id S. married Xina Maynard and 
the}- ha\e three sons li\ing, Ala}'nard, Paul S. and David S. The subject 
also ha> a great-grandsnn. Thomas T. Mrs. ^^lary Craig, who is a nafixe 
of b'a\'ette count\". is the daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Bush) lUu'nett. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 373 

who were natives of Virginia and early settlers in Fayette county. They 
were the parents of twelve children, and after the death of his first wife the 
father married again, having one child by the second union. 

Eli Craig has reached the advanced age of more than eight decades, 
heaven having lengthened out his life beyond the Psalmist's allotted three 
score and ten until he has been permitted to witness the vicissitudes of the 
most remarkable epoch in the world's business and inventive history, in all 
of which he has been an interested spectator, and, indeed, has played no in- 
conspicuous part in pushing forward the wheels of progress in his own 
locality. There is no doubt but that his long life has been due mainly to 
his sterling character, conservative habits and pure thinking. Even-tem- 
pered, patient, scrupulously honest in all the relations of life, hospitable and 
charitable, he has deservedly won a high place in the esteem and a warm place 
in the affections of the people with whom he has lived and mingled for so 
manv rears. 



JOHN H. CULHAN. 



Xo sturdier or better citizens have ever come to our shores than have 
those sons of Ireland who have made their homes in this country. Fortunate 
indeed is the community w^hich receives these people and incorporates them 
in its body politic, for wherever they are found they are always industrious, 
upright and willing to do their share toward the advancement of the material 
and moral welfare of the community in which they reside. In the old country 
they learned those habits of industry which insure success, and upon their 
emigration to this country they never fail to bring along these same habits 
which made them independent in their old home. John H. Culhan, while a 
native of Ohio, has all of those sterling characteristics which mark his Irish 
parents. He has made his own way practically since he was ten years of age 
and is a fine type of the self-made man. He is a man of strict integrity 
and has built up a reputation for honesty and uprightness during his long 
residence in Washington C. H. 

John H. Culhan, the son of Michael and Jane (Harvey) Culhan. was 
born in Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio, December 22, 1856. His par- 
ents were natives of Ireland and married in Brooklyn on coming to the United 
States. Later they settled in Hillsboro, Ohio, where the father died in 1861, 
being only about thirty-three years of age at the time of his death. Michael 



^74 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Cnlhan served in the regular arm}- in his nati\'e land before coming' to 
America. He and his wife were both dexout members of the Catholic church. 
After his death in 1861. his widow married Michael ^NfcMahan. and to her 
second marriage one son was born, Michael, who is now living in Hillsboro, 
Ohio. Michael Culhan and ,wife were the parents of four sons: James, 
of Red ford. Indiana; John H.. with whom this narrati\e deals; Robert, of 
Seneca. Illinois, and George, of Russell, Ohio. 

John H. Culhan was only b\'e Acars of age when his father died in 1S61, 
and when about ten years of age he went to li\e on a farm in Ih'Dwn county, 
l)ut returned to Hillsboro three vears later, where he attended the pulilic 
schools for a short time. He then went to li\e with a man b}- the name of 
James Clark at Hillsboro, where he remained until he was nineteen years 
old. when he went to Cincinnati to learn the carriage and lilacksmithing 
trade, but remained there onl}' a few months. In 1873 he came to Wash- 
ington C. H., where he has since resided. He followed the blacksmithing 
trade for a few }'ears and then engaged in the restaurant luisiness. following 
that occupation until he recei^■ed his appointment as postmaster in 2^1 ay, 
UjO/. Upon the expiration of his first term of four years he was reappointed 
and is still filling this position to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the 
postoffice. 

Mr. Culhan has been twice married. His first marriage occurred April 
18, 1883, to Lucy Long, the daughter of Alexander and ]\Iartha (Boher) 
Long, whose death occurred Febrtiary 2, 1887, leaving no children. On 
X(^\-ember 26. 1888, Mr. Culhan married Sallie -\. Collins, the daughter of 
tulward and Mary ( Coleman ) Collins, and to this second union have been 
born two children, Jane b'rudence and ]Mary Alice. Jane is a teacher in the 
public schools of Washington C. 11. and Alar\- is a student in the local high 
school. ^Irs. Culhan was born at Clarks\ille. Clinton county, Ohio. Her 
l)arents were natives of Ireland and earh- settlers in Clinton county, this 
<tate. where they died. Ldward Collins and wife were the parents of five 
children who li\ed to maturity: Sallie A.; James; ]Mary, deceased, who was 
the hrst wife of Attorney-General T. S. Hogan ; Miss Alice Collins, and 
Thomas, deceased. 

Politically, Mr. Culhan is a Republican and has always taken an acti\e 
interest in the welfare of his party. He served on the board of review of his 
county for several years. Fraternall3^ he is a member of the Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons at Washington C. H., and holds membership in the Roval 
.\rch chapter. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being a charter 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 375 

member of the lodge at Washington C". H. He is also a member of Wash- 
ington Lodge Xo. 129. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mrs. 
Cnlhan and the two daughters are loyal and devcjut members of the Catholic 
church. 



JAMES MADISON \\-ILLIS. 

Agriculture ]:as always been an honorable \-ocation. At the present 
Lin-.e the agricultural output of the United States is more than equivalent to 
the total output of all other industries combined. The igro census reported 
the total \alue of all crops in Fayette county, Ohio, to be three million, one 
hundred and twenty-nine thousand three hundred and thirteen dollars, an 
amount which far exceeds that of all the other industries of the county. 
According to the same census there were one thousand eight hundred and 
forty-six farms in this county, of which number one thousand and eighty 
were operated l)y their owners, se\en hundred and fortv-tuo by tenants and 
twenty-four b\' managers. That the farming land is rapidl}' increasing in 
value is shown In- a comparative statement of the value of farm lands in 
this county in J9C0 and 1910. The last census placed the value of land in 
this count}' at eighty-four dollars and ninety-three cents an acre, while in 
1900, it was only forty-six dollars and eighty-three cents an acre, an in- 
crease in value which speaks well for the farmers of this count}-, in fact, 
the farmer is the only one who can exist independently of every other voca- 
tion, for the farmer holds in his grasp the food and clothing supply of the 
country. The merchant, the Ijanker, the manufacturer and men in every 
other industr}' are dependent absolutel}' on the farmer's crops. A famine 
throughout this country would bankrupt the strongest merchant, wreck the 
largest bank and close the most extensive factory, and land is, as it always 
has been, the most favorable financial in\estment. Panics ma}- sweep the 
manufacturer out of business over night, but the farmer can survix'e when 
ever}' other industry fails. 

James Madison Willis, one of the largest farmers of Fayette county, 
Ohio, was l)orn on a farm near Bloomingburg, this county, October 19, 1869. 
His parents, William R. and X'irginia (McDonald) Willis, were natives of 
this state and were the parents of three children: Elsie, the wife of O. S. 
Hopkins, of \\'ashington C. H. : James Madison, and a daughter. Pearl, who 
died in infancy. William R. Willis was reared in Fayette county and was a 
lifelong farmer and stockman. He inherited a good farm from his father 



3/6 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and bv good management and strict economy left a good estate and at his 
death, in 1890, was the owner of eight hundred and fifty acres in Paint town- 
ship, this county. His widow is still living and is now residing in Washing- 
ton C. H. Both Avere members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while he 
was prominent in the civic life of his community. He held various town- 
ship offices and was a member of the school board of his township at one 
time. William R. Willis was the son of James Madison and Emily (South- 
ward) Willis, both natives of Ohio and pioneers in Fayette county. James 
Madison Willis was a merchant and farmer in Paint township, and was the 
parent of several children, Mrs. Laura B. Jones. James Woodbridge and 
several who died while voung. Virginia McDonald, the wife of William R. 
Willis, was the daughter of Thomas and Rebecca McDonald, natives of Vir- 
ginia and Ohio, respectively, and early settlers in New Holland, Ohio. 
Thomas McDonald was a wagon-maker and followed this occupation until 
his death in New Holland at an advanced age. Mr. McDonald and his wife 
were the parents of three children, Catherine, Robert, and Virginia, the wife 
of William R. Willis. 

James Madison Willis was reared on his father's farm in Paint town- 
ship and after finishing the course in the public schools graduated from the 
Bloomingburg high school, after which he entered the University of Mich- 
igan, but, on account of his father's death in 1890, was compelled to withdraw 
after completing two years in' the university. He then returned home and 
assumed charge of his father's large farm and has been engaged in farming 
ever since. For the past ten years he has lived in Washington C. H., but 
he still has active charge of the farm and takes pride in calling himself a 
farmer. In addition to the interests which he has in the old home place of 
eight hundred and fifty acres, he owns four hundred acres of his own adjoin- 
ing the home farm, which gives him one of the largest farms in the county, 
and according to the 1910 census there are only forty-three farms in the 
county of more than five hundred acres, four of which are over one thousand 
acres in extent. 

Mr. Willis was married June 9, 1892, to Mary C. Keller, the daughter 
of Daniel T. and Mary Jane (Thistle) Keller, and to this union have been 
bom two daughters, Gretchen and Doris. Mrs. Willis was born in Romney. 
Virginia, her parents being natives of the same state and now deceased. 
Mr. Keller and his wife were the parents of five children. 

Politically, Mr. Willis is a Republican and has always been active in 
political matters. He was elected to the Ohio General Assembly in 1900 as 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 377 

representative from the joint disirict of Fayette and A'ladison counties, and 
when the state was redistricted he served another term as representative from 
Fayette comity. While in the (ieneral Assembly his influence was always 
cast on the side of oood government and his hearty support was given to all 
measures which he felt would benefit the state in any way. Locally, he has 
been a member of the school Ijoard of Washington C. H. for several years 
and w as on the l^oard of directors when the present high school building was 
erected. In- addition to his farming interests, Mr. Willis is connected with 
the People's Bank of Rloomingsburg and is a director and vice-president of 
this financial institution. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Ac- 
cepted Alasons. belonging to the blue lodge, the Royal Arch chapter and the 
commander}- of Knights Templar at Washington C. H. He also holds his 
membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in his home city. 
Mrs. Willis is a member of the Presbyterian church, and while he is not an 
active member of any church yet he lends his influence to all worthy move- 
ments which are fostered by the church. As a representative citizen of the 
count\- he has been active in every movement looking tow^ard the welfare of 
his communit}- and in this way has won the high respect and esteem of all 
who know him. 



THOMAS S. MADDOX. 



The Aladdox fanuly trace their ancestry back to colonial times and have 
found that the first member of the family concerning whom definite informa- 
tion has been preserved came to Ohio from Delaware about 1800 and located 
in Ross county, near the present city of Frankfort. The first member of the 
family to come to this state was L)a\id Maddox, a pioneer Methodist preacher 
and a native of Sussex county. Delaware, as was his wife, Elizabeth Lingo. 
They w'ere married in their native state, settled in Ross county, Ohio, about 
1800, and lived there the remainder of their lives, both being buried at 
Clarksburg, in that county. Rev. David Maddux was a soldier in the War of 
1 812, serving in one of the Ohio regiments. 

The children born to Rev. David Maddox and wife were Benjamin. 
Collins, William, Zachariah, Smith, John, Mitchell, Samuel, Mesister, Marv 
and Polly. David iVfaddox and wife were the great-grandparents of Thomas 
S. Maddox, the present prosecuting attorney of Fayette count}-. The Grand- 
father of Mr. Maddox was Benjamin Maddox, who was a babe in arms when 
his parents moved from Delaware to Ohio. He was reared to manhood in 



3/8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Frankfort, Ohio, and after his marriage to Ann Timinons, a natixe of (Jliio, 
he located about ten miles from Clarksburg, where he farmed until his death 
in middle life, his wife sur\i\ing him many years. Benjamin Maddox and 
wife were the parents of a large family of children, Robert A., Stewart, 
Drusilla, William, Edward, ]^Iartha, Harriett and Franklin. The widow of 
Benjamin Maddox married William Crabbe after the death of her hrst hus- 
band and two children were born to her second marriage, Mrs. Millie Foster 
and Mrs. Emma Knowles. 

Robert A. Maddox, the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, 
was born in Ross county and there reared to manhood. He enlisted for 
service in the Civil War in Company D, Eighty-ninth Regiment Ohio \'ulun- 
teer Infantry, antl served for about eighteen months. He tirst enlisted for 
a short term, and upon the expiration of his first enlistment re-enlisted, serv- 
ing throughout as a private. After the close of the war he returned to his 
home county and followed his trade as a blacksmith until his death November 
4, 1902, being in his seventy-third year at the time of his death. His wife 
died January 26, 1906, at the age of seventy-six. He was married before 
the war to Martha A. Taylor, the daughter of William and bdizabeth 
(Nessell) Taylor, natives of Pike county, Ohio. To this union were born 
eleven children, fi\'e sons and six daughters, ten of whom li\etl to maturity. 
These children in the order of their birth are as follow's : William, deceased; 
Lizzie, deceased, was the wife of Har\ey Thrusli; Drusilla. who died at the 
age of nineteen years; Margaret Ann, the wife of Frank Walston. of Will- 
iamsport, Ohio; Samuel O., of Washington C. H. ; Mary Belle, the wife of 
Frank Kelley, of Washington C. H. ; Robert Franklin, of New Holland, 
Ohio; Thomas S.. with whom this narrative subsequentl)' deals: James S., 
of Sabina, Ohio; Nettie O.. deceased, who was the wife of George Wright, 
and Vonnie May, wdio died in infancy. 

William Taylor, the father of the wife of Robert A. Maddox, was a 
shoemaker by trade, and he and his wife were earl\- settlers in Fayette 
county, where they lived to the ripe old ages of seventy-six and ninety-seven 
respectively, • and are buried in Coon's cemetery in Jefferson township. Will- 
iam Taylor and wife reared a family of children: \\'illiam, George. Chester, 
John, Elizabeth, Allemon, Christina Newman, Mrs. Nancy DeMoss and 
Martha A., the wife of Robert A. Maddox. 

Thomas S. Maddox, the present prosecuting attcjrney of Fayette county, 
and the son of Robert A. and Martha (Taylor) Maddox, was born in Clarks- 
burg, Ross county, this state, on March 7, 1864. He was reared in Williams- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 379 

port, Pickawa}- cnunly, this state, and Octa. this county, attending; the pubhc 
schools in botli of these ])laces. As a young man he taught school and for 
eight years was a successful instructor of the youth in Fayette county. Dur- 
ing this time he served as a member of the board of county school examiners, 
ser\ing in this capacity for nine years. During the time he was engaged in 
teaching he was wt^rking on the farm in his summer vacations, and during 
the w inter season, while teaching, spent his spare moments in reading law. 

Air. Maddox applied himself so diligently to his legal studies that he 
was ready for admission to the bar in A/farch, 1894, and at once began the 
actixe practice of his profession in \\'ashington C. H.. where he has since 
lived. As a lawyer he ranks well with those who have been engaged in this 
profession in Fayette county, a fact which is shown by his election as county 
prosecuting attornev in 1912. He has been a life-long Republican and in 
the summer of 191 2 his party nominated him for this position, and upon his 
subsequent election at the November polls he took his office on January i. 
191 3. He is showing marked zeal in prosecuting all offenders of the law, 
and is liuilding u]) a reputation as a man who is free from all entangling 
alliances and a man \vho is thoroughly able to cope with any legal situation 
which may arise in his office. 

Air. A'laddox was married July 3. 1889. to Elizabeth Lamb, the daughter 
of [(ihn ^^^ and Alice B. (Hall) Lamb, and to this marriage have been born 
two sons, Roliert Ray and Thomas Emory. Robert Ray is assistant prose- 
cutor under his father and ex-deputy probate clerk. Robert Ray married 
Ruth Deere and has one daughter, Carrie Elizabeth. The other son, Thomas 
Emory, is still in school. 

Mrs. A/faddox was born in Holt county, Alissouri, and her father was a 
nati\'e of North Carolina, while her mother was born in Kentucky, and after 
their marriage thev became early settlers in Clinton county, Ohio. Both 
have been deceased many years. They were the parents of three children, 
Alonterey, Tina, and Elizabeth, the Avife of Air. Aladdox. The paternal 
grandparents of Airs. Aladdox were Isaac and Catherine (White) Lamb, 
natives of North Carolina and~ early settlers in Clinton county, Ohio, where 
she died, while the grandfather died in Aiissouri. Isaac Lamb and wife were 
the parents of three children, John W., Jehu and A/Irs. Alaria King. The 
maternal grandparents of Airs. Aladdox were Harvey and Nancy (Van 
Hook) Hall, natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Clinton county, this 
state, where they died. Harvey Hall and wife were the parents of a large 
family of children: Alice B.. Amanda, Margaret, Ann, Tabitha. Alonterey, 
William. Dean, Elias and Elizabeth. 



380 KAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mr. Maddox is a member of the Knights of Pythias, tlie Independent 
Order of Odd FelloAvs, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Modern Wood- 
men of .Vmerica. Ali^. Maddox is a member of the ^lethodist Episcopal 
church and, while Mr. Maddox is not actively identified \vith the church, yet 
he is interested in all the ^vork of the church and contriljutes of his means to 
its support. 



HARRISON F. BROWN. 



A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature 
have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the con- 
trolling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, 
guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen 
field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the wa)- 
along which others may follow with like success. The reputation of Har- 
rison F. Brown, one of the leading citizens and efficient public officials of Fay- 
ette county, is such, according to those who know him best, it is belie^•ed that 
a study of his career will be of benefit to the reader, for it has been one not 
only of honor but of usefulness also. 

Harrison F. Brown, or Harry, as he is familiarly known among his 
friends and acquaintances, is the scion of a sterling line of ancestors, whoi 
have been closely identified with the history of the Buckeye state in their 
respective communities. His paternal great-grandfather was Peter Brown, 
whose wife, Nancy Polk, was related to President James K. Polk. Among 
their children was Trusten Polk Brown, who was a native of Sussex county, 
Delaware, as was his wife, Tabitha Wingate Cannon. The latter 's parents 
were Jesse and Margaret Cannon, also natives of Delaware. Trusten and 
Tabitha Brown were brought to Ohio in their childhood, he when about six 
years of age, and she when two years younger, the two families settling in 
Deer Creek township, Pickaway county. There the}- grew to maturity and 
were married, and there they spent the rest of their days, he dying at the age 
of fifty-six years and she when sixty-six years old. To Trusten and Tabitha 
Brown w'ere born the following children : Frank, Wesley, Trusten, Peter 
W., Sarah, Nancy, Elizabeth, Maria, Tabitha and Solomon Wesley. 

Solomon W. Brown was reared in Pickaway county and throughout his 
active life he applied himself to the vocation of farming. Eventually, about 
1867, he came to Favette county, locating on the Benjamin Harrison farm 
in Paint township, where he remained until about 1900, when he came to 



FAVICTTE CorXTN', OHIO. 381 

\\ ashinoton (". H. and here he has since resided, enjoying' lliat rest which he 
so richly earned, lie married Mary Elizabeth Harrison, the dau.ghter of 
Benjamin and Alartlia ( Reeves) Harrison, and to them were born two chil- 
dren, Emma A., the wife of J. d\ Morris, of Washington C. H.. and Har- 
rison, the immediate snJjject of this sketch. 

The parents of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brown were natives of Ohio and 
the major portion of their lives were spent in Madison connty, where their 
deaths occnrred. I'.enjamin Harrison was a son of Gen. Batteal Harrison, 
who was a sec(jnd cousin of ex-President Benjamin Harrison and who served 
with th.e rank and title of general in the War of 1812. His wdfe, Ehzabeth 
(Scott) Harrison, was a native of Kentucky. For many years thev resided 
in Fayette county and died here. Benjamin Harrison was a prominent and 
successful farmer and took a prominent part in the public affairs of his 
county, serving at one time as county commissioner. His wife. Martha 
( Reeves) Harrison, was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Jackson) Reeves, 
natives of Madison county, Ohio. To Benjamin and Martha (Reeves) Har- 
rison were born five children, Mary Elizabeth, Batteal, Isabel, Angelina and 
Winnie S. Gen. Batteal Harrison was a son of Benjamin Harrison, one of 
the signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Harrison F. Brown was born on the paternal homestead in Paint town- 
sliip, Fayette county. Ohio, on the 4th day of April, 1873. He was reared 
amid the health-giving surroundings of countr}' life and earh- iml)ibed those 
elements of industry, ])ersistence and independence wliich ha\e so largel\- 
contributed to his later success in life. He Hrst attended the district schools 
and the high school at Bloomingburg, and then l^ecame a student in the 
National Business University, at Columbus, where he graduated at the age 
of twenty years, with a good practical knowledge of business methods and 
practices. During the following" two years Mr. Brown was a tra\eling sales- 
man, but at the end of that period he located on a farm in Paint township, 
to the operation of which he devoted himself with pronounced success until 
November, 1909, when he moved to Washington C. H., wdiere he has since 
resided. The farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Paint township is 
owned by Mrs. Brown. Init Mr. Brown also owns a farm of three hundred 
and thirtv acres in Green township, both tracts being well improved and 
valuable properties. On the ist of April, 1913, Mr. Brown entered into a 
partnership with J. L. Rothrock in the livery business, in which they have 
met with pronounced success. They carry a large line of vehicles of cAcrv 
description demanded by the local trade and their turn-outs equal anv in this 
localitv. Thev are courteous and careful in their treatment of their custom- 



382 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

ers and are numbered among the popular business firms of this city. On 
May I, 1914, Air. Brown purchased his partner's interest and is now the sole 
owner of the business. 

Politically, Harry Brown has been a life-long supporter of the Repub- 
lican party and has long been an active worker in the ranks and prominent in 
the party councils. In recognition of his sterling qualities of character and 
his sound Inisiness abilit}', he was nominated and elected to the responsible 
office of count}" commissioner, and so satisfactory was his service in that 
capacity that he was re-elected and is thus now serving his second term. It 
is the consensus of puljlic opinion that the county ne\'er had a more careful 
or efficient public official than Air. Brown. Fraternall}', he is a member of 
Leanore Lodge No. 512, Free and Accepted Masons, at Sedalia. Ohio; Fay- 
ette Chapter, Royal .\rch Alasons. at Washington C. H. ; Garfield Com- 
mander}- Xo. T28, Knights Templar, and is also a member of Washington 
Lodge No. I2(), BencNolent and I'rotective Order of Elks. Airs. Brown is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

On February 26. 1903, Harry Brown was married to Florence E. Selsor, 
a native of Paint township, this county, and the daughter of William J. and 
Electa ]. (AI orris) Selser, who were early settlers in Fayette county. To 
Air. and Airs. Brown have l^een liorn two children, Mary Elizabeth and 
William S. 

William j. Selsor was born in Aladison countv, Ohio, and liis wife in 
Fa}ette count}-. The}- were the parents of four children, namely: Idell, 
Edna Dean (who died at the age of eighteen years), Florence Ethel (Airs. 
Brown ) and Ercell. Airs. Brown's paternal grandparents were Fred and 
A/Iary (Rankin) Selsor, natives of Virginia, while her maternal grandparents 
were Samuel and Phoebe (GroNes) Alorris. Samuel Alorris was born in 
Clermont count}-, this state, in 1805, and was brought to Fayette county in 
181 3. Phoebe (Groves) Alorris was born in Jackson county, Ohio, coming 
to Fayette county after her marriage. To this worth}- couple were born 
eight children, Daniel Groves, Samuel Robinson, John Eulon, Electa J., Will- 
iam Warrington, Alartin Wolf, Amanda Elizabeth and Elma Eliza. William 
J. Selsor died in 1909, being survived by his widow, who still resides in 
Washington C. H. 

Mr. Brown has demonstrated himself to be a man of good business 
ability and marked enterprise. As a private citizen he takes a deep and abid- 
ing interest in all phases of the community life affecting the material, educa- 
tional, social or moral welfare of the people, and his support is always given 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 383 

to such nio\enients as are conducive to the greatest pubHc good. Personally, 
he IS a genial and companionable man and enjoys a marked popularity in 
the community where he resides. 



PROF. AVILLIAM WALTER DAVIES. 

Not too often can be repeated the life story of one who has lived so 
honoral>le and useful a life and attained to such notable distinction as has he 
whose name appears at the head of this sketch, one of Ohio's successful and 
distinguished educators and writers. His character has been one of signal 
exaltation and purity of purpose. Well disciplined in mind, maintaining a 
\-antage point from which life has presented itself in correct proportions, 
simjile and unostentatious in his self-respecting, tolerant individuality, such 
a man could not prove other than a force for good in whatever relation of 
life he may have I)een placed. His character is the positive expression of a 
strong nature and his strength is as the number of his days. His career has 
been a long, busy and useful one. and his name is revered bv all who have 
had occasion to come into contact with him. His life has been one of con- 
secration to his calling, and well does he merit a place of honor in every 
history touching upon the lives and deeds of those who have given the best 
of. their powers and talents for the aiding and betterment of their kind. 

William W. Davies was lx)rn on the TOth day of May, 1848, in Llangvbi. 
Cardiganshire. South Wales, and is the son of David and Mary Davies. 
both of whom are deceased. In young manhood William Davies came to 
the United States and, having completed his public school training, he be- 
came a student in Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was graduated in 
1872. with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and receiving his Masters degree 
from the same institution in 1875. In 1874 he graduated from Drew Theo- 
logical Seminary, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. In 1877 he 
was gi^•en the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Halle. 
Prussia, after three years of study in residence, and he also studied in the 
Faculte Libre. I^usanne, Switzerland, and the Sorbonne. Paris. In 1878 
Doctor Davies was ordained to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and during the following two years was pastor of the church at 
Dover. Ohio; from 1879 to 1883 he was instructor of Hebrew and modern 
languages in Ohio Wesleyan L^niversity ; adjunct professor, 1883-4, and then 
became professor of Hebrew and German. He devoted himself indefatigably 



384 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

to his labors and for man\' }ears he has been luimhered among the leading 
educators of the state which he has honored by his citizenship. Doctor 
Davies has done considerable original research work and has done much 
writing. In 1894 he became and is still editor of the department of Archaeol- 
og}- and Biblical Research in the Methodist Rciicic: \a rote the Critical 
Notes in the Sunday School TcacJicrs' JouniaU 1895-7; contributor to Mod- 
ern Languages, Notes, and to \ari()us religions journals. He is a member 
of the Society of Biblical Archaeology, the Victoria Institute, Authors' Club 
(London), Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Beta Kappa. He is author of the "Uni- 
versal Bible Encyclopedia." two volumes, 1903 ; "The Codes of Hamurabi 
and Moses," 1905. 

Professor Davies has twice been married. On December 25, 1879, he 
married Alary E. Chase, of Auburn, Maine, whose death occurred on Septem- 
ber 2, 1909. On the 27th of June, 1911, he was married to Madeline B. 
Sharp, widow of the late Morris Sharp, of Washington C. H.. and who is 
referred to at length elsewhere in this work. Professor Davies is a man of 
genial and kindly impulses, who, because of his splendid ability and high 
[jcrs'inal character, has \\n\\ a host of warm personal friends. 



CHARLES in^AXKLIX COI'EEY. . " 

Holding- distinctive ])restige among the enterprising and iniluential citi- 
zens of Fayette county, is Charles F. Coffey, present mayor of Washington. 
C. H., whose record, lieve briefly outlined, is that of a self-made man, 
who, by the exercise of the talents with which nature endowed him, success- 
fully fought his way through life's battles and rose to the position he now 
occupies as one of the leading men of the community honored by his citizen- 
ship. He is a creditable representative of old pioneer families of this locality 
and the admirable qualities and characteristics of his sturdy ancestors have 
borne fruit in his own life. 

Charles F. Coft'ey was born in Ivayette county, Ohio, on the 8th day of 
May, 1868, and is a son of James R. and Rebecca Jane (Stafford) Coff'ey, 
who are both natives of Ohio, the father born in Highland county and the 
mother in Fayette county, both being reared in Fayette county. They were 
the parents of five children, three of whom lived to maturity, namely : Eliza 
Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Dennis Blackmore ; Charles F., of this 
review ; Wayman Hampton, deceased, and two who died in infancy. James 




CHARLES F. COFFEY 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 385 

R. Coffey was a laljoring- man during the rtrst years of his mature Hte, but, 
being a man of steady and economical hal)its, he was al)Ie to forge ahead and 
eventually secured a farm of eighty-one and a half acres in Green township, 
to the improvement of which he devoted himself, and where he reared his 
children. He died on March ii, 1913, in the seventy-second year of his age, 
and his wife passed away on March 2, 1913. aged sixty-six years. They were 
members of the Alethodist Protestant church and their lives were singularly 
consistent with their religious professions. 

The paternal graridparents of the subject were John Patterson Coff'ev 
and Sarah Coffey, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In the 
pioneer period they came to Highland county, Ohio, where they remained for 
a time and also ran a hotel in Buena Vista in the early days, finallv locating 
in Fayette county. Here they died when well advanced in years and are 
buried in White Oak cemetery. Their children were as follows : William, 
Addison, Charles, John, James R., Ruth and Margaret. On the maternal 
sifle, the subject is descended from Wayman Hampton Stafford and Jane 
( McDaniel) Stafford, he a native of Virginia and she of Pennsylvania, while 
both were of English descent. They became pioneer settlers in Favette 
county, where Mr. Stafford followed the vocation of a miller, one of the 
most useful occupations during the days of the early settlement of that 
community. His mill was located on Rattlesnake creek in Green township. 
Jane Stafford passed away in middle life, but her husband lived to old age. 
They had two children, Rachel (Wallen) and Rebecca. After the death of 
his first wife, Wayman Staft'ord married Ellen Tutor, to which union were 
born three sons, Solomon, Charles and Parris. 

Charles F. Coffey has spent practically his entire life in Fayette county, 
the years of his young manhood being spent on the paternal homestead m 
(ireen township. He received his educational training in the district schools 
of his home neighborhood and until 1906 applied himself closely to the oper- 
ation of the home farm, in which he was successful. In the year mentioned. 
Air. Coff'ey went to Columbus. Ohio, and for a year was in the employ of 
the International Harvester Company. He then came to Washington C. H., 
and for two years was engaged in the livery business, followed by a like 
period in the grocery business. lie has disposed of his commercial interests, 
retaining the home farm, though he still resides in Washington C. H. 

Politically. Charles F. Coffey has been a life-long supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party and has always taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs. 
While residing in his home township he served twelve vears as township 
(25) 



386 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

trustee, was supervisor for three or four terms, was a member of the board 
of review for two years and served several years as a school director, m 
1913 Mr. Coffey was elected mayor of Washington C. H., and is filling the 
office with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citi- 
zens. Fraternally, Mr. Coffey is a member of Temple Lodge No. 227, Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a charter member of Amazon Lodge 
No. 672, Knights of Pythias, but is now a member of Confidence Lodge at 
Washington C. H. Religiously, Mr. Coffey is a member of the Methodist 
Protestant church and Mrs. Coffey is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

On the 20th day of February, 1890, Mr. Coffey was married to Ada L. 
Clark, who was born in Washington C. H., the daughter of John S. and 
Catherine (Adams) Clark. Her parents were both born in Ohio, the father 
in Fayette and tlie mother in Highland county, and they are now residing in 
Buena Vista. They are the parents of four children, Harry, Ada L., Fred 
R. and Zilpha. To Mr. and Mrs. Coffey have been born two children, Lois 
and Robert. 

Mr. Coft'ey is still in the prime of life and has before him many active 
and useful years. As before stated, he still owns the old home farm, to 
which he added twenty acres, making a total of one hundred and one and a 
half acres, and also owns an attractive and comfortable residence in Was^'- 
ington C. H. He takes a deep and abiding interest in everything pertaining 
to the welfare of the community and gives his support to all worthy move- 
ments for the advancement of his fellow citizens. Prompt and discreet in 
the discharge of his official duties, affable and courteous to all who have 
business with him, and a man of inflexible integrity, he is justly deserving 
of representation in the annals of his county. 



JARED F. ADAMS. 



Success in this life is almost always won by the truly deserving. It is 
an axiom demonstrated by all human experience that a man gets out of this 
life what he puts into it plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The 
individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot 
be called a successful man. On the other hand he that falls heir to a large 
fortune and increases its value is successful in proportion to the amount 
which he adds to his original possessions, but the man who starts in the 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 387 

world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, 
forges ahead and at length reaches a position of honor among his fellow 
citizens, achieves success such as representatives of the two former classes 
can neither understand nor appreciate. To a considerable extent Jared F. 
Adams is a creditable representative of the class last named, having started 
out as a youth of fourteen on his own responsibilities. As a school teacher, 
as a lawyer and as a business man, he has performed his every duty faith- 
fully and well, and is justly classed with the representative citizens of Fayette 
county. 

Tared F. Adams, the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Wright) Adams, was 
born February 22, 1863, in Frederick county, Virginia. His parents were 
natives of the same state and reared a family of eight children, seven of whom 
grew to maturity : Mary, the wife of J. S. Stottlemyre, of Winchester, 
Virginia; Nimrod, of Frederick county, Virginia; Lana, the wife of Tobias 
Loy; Ellen, the wife of George W. Catlett; John, who was killed by lightning 
when a young man; Isaac; Thomas, who died in young manhood, and Jared 
P.. who is represented in this narrative. 

Isaac Adams was a life-long farmer in Frederick county, Virginia, 
where his death occurred at the age of sixty. His wife is still living and is 
now in her one hundredth year. Isaac Adams was the son of David Adams, 
a farmer of Frederick county, Virginia, and the father of several children, 
among whom were Hiram. Peter and Isaac. The parents of Isaac Adams' 
wife were natives also of Virginia, living in the extreme eastern part of the 
state. The mother of Mrs. Adams died at the age of one hundred and three. 

Jared P. Adams lived on his father's farm in Virginia until he was four- 
teen years of age and then came to Ohio and went to work on a farm in 
Payette county near Milledgeville. He worked for five years for William 
A. Creamer, during which time he attended school during the winter season. 
His first schooling was under the tutelage of Frank M. Allen, the editor of 
this volume. He also attended the Bloomingburg Normal, which was con- 
ducted by Mr. Allen and Dr. A. M. Jones. Upon reaching his majority he 
started to teach in the district schools of this county, and in 1888 he came to 
Washington C. H. and taught school in the country near this city. While 
teaching he took up the study of law in the office of Hidy & Patton, and 
was finally admitted to the bar October 6, 1894, and has been in the practice 
of his profession in Washington C. H. for the past twenty years. However, 
most of his time has been given to the loan and insurance business, in which 
he has been very successful. He is the attorney for and a stockholder in the 
Farmers Bank, of Good Hope, and was one of the number to organize the 



388 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

bank in that place. He is also a stockholder in the Fayette County Bank, of 
Washington C. H. 

Air. Adams was married October 8, 1891, to Arminta Cline, the daughter 
of William and Naomi (Glasgow) Cline. Mrs. Adams was born in Jasper 
township, this county, both of her parents being natives of this state also. 
Her father, who was a farmer, died in 1910, on April 10th, at the age of 
seventy-three, while her mother died in 1907 at the age of sixty-eight. The 
paternal grandparents of Mrs. Adams were George W. and Catherine (Feag- 
gins) Cline, early settlers in this county, where they lived to a ripe old age. 
Thev were the parents of five children : Edward, Mary, Philip, Andrew J., 
and William S., the father of Mrs. Adams. The maternal grandparents of 
Mrs. Adams w^ere Andrew J. Glasgow and wife, early settlers in Clinton 
county, this state. 

Politically, Mr. Adams is a Democrat, but has never had any inclination 
to become an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his time and 
energies to his individual interests. Fraternally, he is a member of Temple 
Lodge No. 22J, Independent Order of Odd Fellow's, and also of Fayette 
l^ncampmont No. 134. He and his wife are members of the Imperial Re- 
bekah Lodge No. 717. He also holds his membership in the Knights of the 
(iolden Eagle, as well as the Ladies of the Golden Eagle. He is also actively 
interested in the Junior Order of L^nited American Mechanics, of which he 
is a \ahied meml)er. 



ROY T. McCLURE. 



The true measure of individual success is determined b\- what one has 
accomplished. An enumeration of those men who have succeeded in their 
si)ecial \ocations in Fayette county and at the same time have impressed 
their personalities on the commimity where the}- resided would not be com- 
plete without the mention of Roy Thomas McClure, the cashier of the 
People's and DroNcrs' Bank, of Washington C. H. Graduating from the 
Ohio Laiiversity, at the age of twenty, his first practical experience in bank- 
mg was gained in the People's Bank at Bloomingburg, and a short time later 
he started to work for the Peoples and Dro\'ers' Bank, of Washington C. H. 
Such was his ability and so well did he impress the directors of this excellent 
financial institution that within three years, at the age of twenty-three, he 
was made cashier of the bank, a position wdiich he is filling with entire 
credit to himself and satisfaction to the directors of the bank. The success 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 389 

which has come to him has been the direct result of his abihty and close 
attention to business. 

Roy Thomas AlcChire, the only son of Joseph M. and Anna (Davis) 
McClure, was born October 6, 1884, in Rarden, Scioto county, Ohio. His 
father was a native of Highland county, this state, and lived there until his 
marriage, when he located in Rarden, where he engaged in the mercantile 
business for several years. He is now engaged in the same business in 
Bloomingburg, where he has been for many years. He is a member of the 
Free and Accepted Masons, while both he and his wife are loval and con- 
sistent members of the Presbyterian church. They have two children, Roy 
1 . and Eva. who is still li\ing with her parents. 

Joseph M. McClure is the son of Thomas and Martha (McCague) 
McClure, natives of Ohio. Thomas McClure was an undertaker at Sinking 
Springs, in Highland county, this state, where he and his wife died several 
years ago. They were the parents of four children, George, Robert, Mar- 
garet and Joseph M., the father of Roy T. McClure. The parents of Joseph 
McClure's wife were Thomas and Elizabeth (Ralston) Davis, natives of this 
state, who li\ed in Scioto count}', and were farmers there all of their days, 
dying in that count}' at an advanced age. Thomas Davis and wife were the 
parents of seven children, Steele, James. Ellis. Sarah, Ross. Mattie, and 
Anna, the wife of Joseph M. McClure. 

Roy r. McClure was reared in Bloomingburg from the time he was 
four years of age. He attended the common and high schools of that place 
and then entered Ohio L'niversity, from which institution he graduated in 
1904, lieing one of the youngest graduates who ever completed the course 
in that institution. AMiile in college he became a member of the Ohio 
(iamma cha])ter of I 'hi Delta Theta. His first practical experience in bank- 
ing was obtained in the People's Bank at Bloomingburg; he later accepted a 
position in the People's and Drovers" Bank at Washington C. H. This bank 
is the oldest in the cit}', having been organized in 1864, and is now the largest 
bank in the city. Mr. McClure began at the bottom in this bank and within 
three years attained the position of cashier, and for the past six years has 
been filling this position in a most satisfactory manner. 

Mr. McClure was married October 2, 1907, to Eva Lucile Feurt, the 
daughter of William A. and Lydia (Brown) Feurt, and to this union has 
l)een born one daughter, Enid Lynette, and one son, Joseph Feurt. Mrs. 
McClure was born in Maryville, Missouri, and her parents are now residents 
of Chicago. Mrs. McClure has one brother, Fred, living. 

Politically. Mr. McClure is a member of the Republican party, but has 



390 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

ne\er lieeii active in political affairs. The nature of his profession is such as 
to prevent him from heing active in the councils of his party, and office 
holding has never held out any attractions for him. He and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McClure is a member of the Free 
and Accepted Masons. 



JAMES WILLIAM WILLIS. 

In the death of James W. Willis, in 1906, there was remo\ed another 
of those prominent business men of \Vashington C. H., Ohio, who have made 
their way in life by force of their own merit and industry from small be- 
ginnings to great successes, and his memory will long be re\ered and his 
influence for good felt in this section of the state, for he belonged to that 
class of worthy and nol)le citizens who leave behind them much that is death- 
less. He was a man of absolute honesty, always on the advance, and man- 
aged his extensive business affairs with a skill and prudence which came of 
accurate knowledge and wide experience. His rise in the world was at the 
expense of no one, and in his death W^ashington C. H. and Fayette county 
sustained a great loss and a wide circle of friends was left to mourn his pass- 
ing away, for he was uni\-ersally regarded as one of Washington's most 
useful and entcr[)rising men of affairs, of which city he had been an active 
and influential citizen for many years. 

There Mowed in the ^eins of James \A'. Willis an admixture of the 
blood of those sturdy races from across the sea which have contributed so 
largely to the ])rogress and advancement of this great countrv of (jurs — luig- 
land and Ireland. From England came his paternal grandfather Willis, who 
married Eleanor AJontgomery. He came to the I'nited States when eighteen 
years of age and settled at once in Fayette count}, Ohio. He acquired a 
farm in Jefferson township and there spent the remainder of his davs, dying 
there when past eighty years of age. To him and his wife were born the 
following children: Henry, James, Robert, Samuel, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. 
Montgomery, Mrs. Gifford, Mrs. Bo}'er, ]\Irs. Fichthorn, ?^!rs. Thornburg, 
John. On the maternal side, the sul)ject was descended from Roliert Hogue, 
who, with his wife, came from the lunerald isle and also became early settlers 
in h'ayette county, their home l)eing in Jasper township. Their children were 
John. Robert, William and Belinda. Of the children of these respective 
families, Samuel Willis and Belinda Hogue, who were both born in Fayette 



FAYETTE COINTV. OHIO. 39I 

county, married, and to them were born ten children, namely : Samantha 
(Stover), Lucinda. Sallie, Ida, James W'.. 'iillie, Lina, Linda and Jennie. 

Samuel Willis passed his entire life in Fayette county, following the 
vocation of farming in Jasper township, where he owned one hundred and 
ten acres of excellent land. He was a man of splendid character, who en- 
joyed the respect of all who knew him. and his death occurred there in 1871, 
when about fifty-one years of age. His wife died in 1881, when sixty-five 
years of age. They were Methodists in their religious belief and were known 
for their kindness and benevolence. Mr. Willis was a soldier in the Civil 
War during the last year of that great struggle. 

James W. Willis was born in Jasper township on the 4th day of June, 
1853, and he remained on the paternal homestead until he had attained his 
maturity. He had received a good practical education in the district schools, 
and sometime after attaining his majority he mo\ed to Jamestown and for 
a short time was engaged in the hotel business. He then went to Milledge- 
ville and built a home, engaging there in the timber and lumber business. 
Later he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which alw ays had for him a special 
attraction and in which he was always successful, thougli at the same time 
he i^ave some of his attention to the lumber business, .\bout that same time 
Mr. Willis and John L. Barnes, engaged in the buying and selling of live stock 
for several years, meeting with very satisfactory results. In 1887, Mr. 
Willis came to Washington C. H. and engaged first in the butchering busi- 
ness, later adding the handling of live stock, and still later he again embarked 
in the lumber business and ran a saw mill, which commanded his attention 
up to the time of his death. It was a testimonial to his versatility- of talent 
and his ready ability to adapt himself to any circumstances or demands upon 
him, that he could engage in so many different lines of enterprise and handle 
all of them successfully. In addition to the lines already mentioned, Mr. 
Willis established and built the present chair factory and engaged quite ex- 
tensively in the manufacture of chairs and he was the chief actor in the 
promotion and establishment of the P. Haggerty Shoe Company. He was 
the owner of the Millwood addition to the city of Washington C. H., w4iich 
he improved with splendid pavements and sidewalks, so that it became one 
of the most attractive suburbs of the city. He was a stockholder and director 
of the Commercial Bank, one of. the solid financial institutions of Fayette 
county. Mr. Willis bought the old D. I. Worthington home and here he 
lived and dispensed an old-fashioned hospitality that was greatly enjoyed 
by his large circle of warm and loyal friends. He was a man of genial and 
kindly impulses, who continually made friends and never sacrificed any. 



392 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Politically, Air. Willis was a Republican from principle, and took a keen 
and intelligent interest in pul)lic affairs, though too busy a man himself to 
mix much in political affairs. Fraternally, he was a member of and took 
a deep interest in the time-honored order of Vrte and Accepted Alasons, in 
which he took the degrees up to and including those of Knight Templar. 
Though not a member of any church. Air. W'illis was an attendant of the 
Baptist church, to which Airs. W'illis belongs, and he was a firm believer in 
every mo\-ement the object of which \\as the uplift of the human race. The 
death of Air. W'illis occurred on the J5th day of July, igo6, at the age of 
fifty-three years. 

On August 20, 1882, James W. W'illis married Carrie Spangler, who 
was burn in Ross county, Ohio, on April j^, i8C)3, the daughter of Dr. Robert 
W'. and Margaret (Somer\'ille ) Spangler, the foruier a native of Kentucky 
and the latter of Ohio. Airs. ATargaret Spangler died in Ross county, Ohio, 
at the age of forty-one years. She had borne her husband five children. 
Lucy Jane, John A^losby, Charles Somer\'ille, Carrie Belle and Fred .Arthur. 
Doctor Spangler was a practicing ph\sician in Ross county for about twenty 
years and in Alilledge^■ille for a like period, thus rounding out an honorable 
and successful professional career of four decades. Flis death occurred in 
1897, at the age of about sixty-one years. ha\'ing sur\i\e(l his wife more than 
thirtv vears. Airs. Willis' paternal grandfather, I'rederick Arthur Spangler. 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, whose maiden name was Lucn' 
Jane Cornelius, was born in Kentucky. She died in middle life and he at 
the age of about seventy years. Mrs. W'illis" maternal grandfather, John 
A. Somerville, was born in Scotland. Fie came to the United States in 1808, 
settling in Ross county, Ohio, and there married Elizabeth Smith, who was 
born in Highland county, Ohio. She died when past sixty years of age. and 
he lived to the remarkable age of ninety-three years. They were the parents 
of the following children : Jane (Steele), Rebecca (Dill), Mary (Howells). 
Nanc\- (Reed), Alargaret (S])angler), Sarah Somerxille. and several who 
died before reaching mature years. 

To Mr. and Mrs. AVillis were br)rn ele\ en children, namely : Bessie 
Janet, who is the wife of Ralph O. A-^oung and the mother of a daughter. 
Jane; Lina Marion, who is doing settlement work in Knoxville, Tennessee; 
Willard S., who remains at home with his mother, is manager of the Willis 
Luml)er Companv, at ^^'ashington C. FT. ; Helen May is the wife of C. G. 
Beckel, of Dayton, Ohio, and they have a son, Cambridge; Robert Ervin, 
Charles Somerville, Carrie Eleanor, Richard Rochester and Willis Hegler 
are at home, and tw^o who died in infancy. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 393 

James \V. Willis was in the fullest sense of the word a progressive, virile 
American citizen, thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the advanced age 
in which he lived. He made good use of his opportunities and prospered 
from year to year, conducting all business matters carefully and systematic- 
allv, and in all his acts displaying an aptitude for successful management. 
He did not permit the accumulation of fortune to affect in any way his 
actions toward those less fortunate than he, and he always had a cheerful 
word and a helping hand for those in need. He was a most companionable 
gentleman and all who came within range of his influence were loud in their 
praise of his splendid qualities. 



JOSEPH H. HARPER. 



There are six papers in Washington C. H., Ohio, one of which, the 
Ohio State Register, dates from the year 1836. The next oldest paper is the 
Daily Herald, and both these papers are issued by the Herald Publishing 
Company. There is onlv one paper in the county outside of Washington 
C. H., and that is the Citi-ceii. ]ml)lished at Jeffersonville, and in this connec- 
tion it is interesting to note that tliere are eleven hundred and eighty-one 
papers of all kinds ])ublished in the state of Ohio, according to the last news- 
paper ilirectory, more than half of which are weeklies. The vice-president 
of the Herald Publishing Company is Joseph H. Harper, and he is also one 
of the editors of the Daily Herald and the Ohio State Register. Mr. Har- 
per is a well trained newspaper man and has been connected with the news- 
paper business of his city for the past twelve years, and in addition to his 
connection with these newspapers he is also a lawyer, and has been practicing 
for more than twenty }'ears in this city. 

Joseph H. Harper, the son of John J. and Emma (Jones) Harper, was 
born August 21, 1(870, in Portsmouth, Ohio. His father was the son of 
Alexander Harper, and was born at Tarlton, Eairfield county. Ohio, and 
was a prominent lawyer for twenty years in Washington C. H. He prac- 
ticed law at Portsmouth. Ohio, for a number of years, serving as prosecut- 
ing attornev, judge of the common pleas court, and also as judge of the dis- 
trict court. He ser^•ed as a private in the Civil War and was a distinguished 
soldier throughout that memorable struggle. In t886 John J. Harper came 
to Washington C. PI. with his family and ])racticed law in this city until his 
death in 1906. His wife died in 1873. b'our sons were l^orn to John J. 



394 FAYIiTTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

Harper and wife: John K., who lives in San Francisco, California; Will- 
iam A., residing in Little, Kentucky; Samuel G., of Portsmouth, Ohio, and 
Joseph H. Alexander Harper was a native of Virginia, and was an early 
settler in Fairfield county, Ohio, where lie and his wife reared a family of 
six children, John, William, Samuel, Joseph. Martha and Mary. The ma- 
ternal grandparents of Joseph H. Harper were residents of Scioto county, 
Ohio, and Emma, the wife of John J. Harper, was an only child. 

Joseph H. Harper attended the public schools of Portsmouth, Ohio, 
where he was born, until he was sixteen years of age, and then, when his 
parents came to Washington C. H., completed his education in the schools 
of this city, graduating from the high school in 1889. He then took up the 
study of law in his father's office antl spent one year in the Cincinnati Law 
School, graduating from that institution in May, 189-'. He was admitted 
to the practice of his profession in all the courts of Ohio on the day after 
his graduation, and for ten years ga\e all his attention to the i)ractice ol his 
profession in this city. In 1902 he purchased the Ohio State Register and 
in 1911 became connected with the Herald Publishing Company as its vice- 
president, and has since been one of the editors (^f the Daily Herald and the 
Ohio State Reyister, which are published by this company. 

Mr. Harper was married June 22, 1892, to Nina Silcott, the daughter 
of .\rthur R. and Flelen (Taylor) Silcott, and to this union two children 
ha\e been bt>rn, Helen Taylor, born November i. 1893, and Howard Stan 
hope, born Februar}- 13. 1899. 

Mrs. Harper was born January- 9. 187J, in Washington C. H., in the 
same house where she is now living. }4er father was a native of Loudoun 
county, Virginia, and ber mother of Bainbridge, Ross county, Ohio. Both 
are now deceased. Airs. Harper was the only child born to this marriage of 
her father, who had formerly been married to Lucinda Taylor, the sister oi 
his second wife. By his tirst marriage, Mr. Silcott had four children, Effie, 
Charles E., James and Frank. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Harper 
were Gerald and Nancy ( Pepple ) Taylor, early settlers of Ross county, 
Ohio. They had a famil)- of fi\e children, Mary, Elizabeth, Lucinda, Ellen 
and James. Mrs. Flarper is a member of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution, one of her ancestors having fought in that war. 

Politicall}', Mr. Harper is a stanch Democrat and has always taken a 
deep interest in political affairs. He is now at the head of the securities de- 
partment of the state of Ohio, being appointed to this position by Governor 
Cox. Mr. Harper is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 



FAVKTTE COUNTY, OHIO. 7^L)^ 

Elks, lie is a man of wide education and has always been actively inter- 
ested in everything which ])ertains to the welfare of his city, giving his un- 
reserved support to all public-spirited measures. 



DANIEL TAYLOR. 



Descended from honored ancestry and himself numbered among the 
leading citizens of Eayette county, Ohio, the subject of this sketch is en- 
titled to specific mention in a work of this character. A residence in this 
county of many }ears has but strengthened his hold on the hearts of the 
people with whom he has been associated and toda}' no one here enjoys a 
larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because 
of his sterling qualities of heart and mind. The history of the loyal sons 
and representative citizens of Fayette county would be incomplete were 
there failure to make mention of the man whose name heads this paragraph. 
When the fierce fire of rebellion was raging throughout the Southland, 
threatening to destroy the Union, he responded with patriotic fervor to the 
call for \'olunteers and throughout the time of his service he proved his loy- 
alty to the government he loved so well. \\'here\-er his lot has been cast, 
Mr. Taylor has been devoted to the public welfare and in all of his relations 
his highest ambitions ha\e been to l>enebt the communit}' and ad\ance his 
standard of citizenship. The latter years of his busy life he is spending in 
quiet retirement at his home in Bloomingburg, honored and revered by all. 

Daniel Taylor was born on October 14, 1833, in Coshoct(^n county, this 
state, being a son of Richard and Mary ( Scott) Taylor, the former of whom 
was a native of England. Richard Taylor left England when a young man 
of eighteen years and finally settled in this state in the then little town of 
Mingo, near Steubenville. He was a farmer and met and married his wife 
after coming to that locality, she being at that time a resident of Steuben- 
ville. Mary Scott, whom he chose for his bride, was a native of Alaryland, 
born in that state of Scotch parentage. Mr. Taylor can readily trace his 
ancestral line to roval halls across the seas and he has so ordered his own 
life that no blot nor 1)lemish has been placed by him on the family escutcheon. 
Richard Taylor and Mary Scott, his wife, were the parents of a family of 
eleven children, all of whom, with the exception of the subject and his 
sister Hannah, have ])assed into the great beyond. Catherine, the oldest Qf 
the family, lies buried in Coshocton county; John is buried near Vnvt Des 



396 . * FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Moines, Iowa ; Emma passed away at her home in Watseka, llHnois ; Mary 
A. is buried in Coshocton ; Edith at Cambridge, Ilhnois ; Caleb was living in 
Iowa at the time of his death, and Henrietta died in St. Louis, Missouri. 
David was a soldier in the Thirty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
and was killed at the battle of Antietam ; Hannah lives at Bellingham, Wash- 
ington, and the youngest of the family was a child which died in earliest 
infanc}'. 

The subject received his earlie^^t schooling in Adams township, Coshoc- 
ton county, where the famil\' at that time resided, later attending the schools 
of (iuernsey countv, where the family lived in later years. He had early 
receixed training in the work of the farm home, which was of great value to 
him in that his fatlier died when he was quite a young man and he assumed 
the position as head of the family, which he retained for thirty-three years. 
He was nineteen vears c^ld when he began farming on his own account and 
he was able to add to his possesisons from time to time until he had a farm in 
Coshocton county containing one hundred and sixty- four acres. In later 
years he disposed of his holdings and came to Bloomingburg, where he has 
lived a retired life for a number of years. Early in life he mastered the car- 
penter trade and for a number of years did a C(Misiderable contracting busi- 
ness in this section. 

During the struggle between the two factions of our nation in the dark 
davs of the sixties, Mr. Taylor became a member of the Ohio National 
Guards and was stationed at Cambridge, Guernsey county. On April 27. 
1864, he enlisted as a private in Company A. One Hundred and Seventy- 
second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, re-enlisting on September 20, 
1864. in Troop 1). First Ohio Cavalry, remaining in this connection until 
the close of the war. The last engagement of any sort in which Mr. Taylor 
took part was at midnight on Easter Sunday. A])ril i^, 1865, when the two 
factions engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle at Columljus, Georgia. Gen- 
eral Lee had already surrendered, but neither side was in possession of that 
information. Among the more important battles in which Mr. Taylor was 
engaged was the encounter at Ebenezer church, Selma and Montgomery^ all 
in the state of Alabama, and those at Columbus and at the surrender of 
Macon. Georgia, as well as many minor skirmishes. When a member of the 
infantry Mr. Taylor served under Col. John Eerguson and while in the 
cavalry was under Robert Egleson. After the close of the war he returned 
to Guernsey countv, later going to Coshocton and in 1893 came to Fayette 
countv, locating in Bloomingburg, where he has since resided. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 397 

On No\'eniber lo, 1854. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Marv 
Hogle. (laughter of Lansing and Adeline (Stilwell) Hogle. Mrs. Taylor's 
death occurred in March, 19 13. She was a most excellent woman, pos- 
sessed of man}' achnirable traits of heart and mind. She was an earnest and 
consistent member of the Baptist church and is buried at Bloomingburg. 
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of five children, namely: Samuel J., 
who married Mary. Babcock, and is the father of six children, Belle, Frank 
D., Cardell, Edith, Mary and Warren. Hattie remains at home with the 
subject. She received her education in the schools of Coshocton count\- and 
is an earnest meml)er of the Baptist church, through which she has taken the 
international Bible students course of training. John H. married W'ilhel- 
mina Sibley, w'ho has borne him two children, Xeely and V^erner. Edward L. 
married Lizzie Saulders and Bert chose Retta Allen as his wife. He has one 
child, a little daughter, Helen. 

Mr. Taylor's fraternal affiliation is with Myron Judy Post, Grand Army 
of the Republic, at Bloomingburg. Mr. Taylor passed by far the most of his 
life on the farm and is of the opinion that no life is so independent or con- 
ducive to proper living. During his more active years he devoted consid- 
erable attention to the raising of sheep, in which he was highly successful. 
He is now eighty-one years old and is justly proud of the fact that he has 
never used tobacco in any form and has never had a quarrel with anyone. 
In all the essential elements of good citizenship, Mr. Taylor has always been 
a man among men and by his steady life, strict integrity and high regard for 
the better things of life he has won and retained the warm regard of a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. 



LUTHER PETERSON HOWELL, M. D. 

The Howell family came to Ohio from New Jersey, the first members 
of the family to settle in this state being Mathias Howell and his wife. 
Elena Cadwallader, both of whom were natives of Burlington county, New- 
Jersey. They located in Licking county, Ohio, in 1819, and in that county 
Mathias Howell, wdio was the grandfather of Dr. L. P. Howell, entered a 
large tract of land and became one of the most extensive farmers and sheep 
raisers of that section of the state. Mathias Howell was a man of unusual 
ability and force of character, a fact which is shown by his being elected to 
Congress from his district in the fall of 1836. He served one term in Con- 



398 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

gress and then returned to his home in Licking county, where he (hed shortly 
afterwards, being about se\en }ears of age at the time of his death. His 
widow later moved to Chicago and made her home with a daughter in that 
city until her death. Mathias Howell, the first member of the family to 
settle in Ohio, w^as the father of a large family of children, many of whon 
attained to more than local reputation. James, the oldest son, went to 
Iowa before the war and became United States senator from that state. 
After tlie close of the Civil War he was appointed as judge on the southern 
claims committee and served with distinction in this capacity. The second 
son removed to San Francisco and became prominently identified with the 
business interests of that city. The third son located in Bloomington, Illi- 
nois, where he became a prosperous banker. The fourth son was Luther J., 
the father of Dr. Luther P. How^ell. There were also three daughters in 
the family of Mathias How^ell : Mrs. Carrie Varney, of Chicago; Mrs. 
Edith Condit, of Champaign, Illinois, and Anna, who died in Washington, 
D. C. 

Luther J. Howell, the father of Dr. Luther P. Howell, was born in 
Licking county, Ohio, near Granville, and was a young man of great prom- 
ise. He was a close student and w-as teaching school when he was married. 
His future was cut short by his death at the early age of twenty-one years, 
his death occurring shortly after his marriage to Hattie Peterson, the daugh- 
ter of Martin and Elizabeth (Coyner) Peterson, natives of Ross county. 
this state. 

Martin Peterson and wife, the maternal grandparents of Doctor How- 
ell, were natives of Virginia and settled in Ross county, Ohio, in 1803. He 
was a farmer and owned extensive interests in Ross and Fayette counties, 
having at one time over six hundred acres of excellent farming land in 
Fayette county. Both he and his wife died in Ross county at the ages of 
seventy-two and ninety-tw^o, respectively. Martin Peterson and wife were 
the parents of eight children: Mrs. Jane Haines, of Bloomingburg, Ohio: 
Mrs. Phoebe Junk, of Ross county; Mrs. Hannah Dickey, wdio died in 
Bloomingburg, Ohio; Mrs. Martha Slagle, of Ross county; Mrs. Margaret 
Robbins; Effie, deceased; Albert C, of Frankfort, Ohio, and Hattie, the 
mother of Doctor Howell. Mrs. Montgomery, the mother of Doctor How- 
ell, is still living and now resides in Dayton. 

Dr. Luther Peterson Howell, the only son of Luther J. Howell and 
wife, was born in Ross county, this state, near Frankfort, December 2, 1864. 
He w^as reared in Ross county on his father's farm and attended the district 
schools of his home towaiship and later graduated from the Chillicothe high 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 399 

school. I^>()m his earhest hoyhood he wanted to be a physician and as soon 
as he graduated from the high school he entered the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons at Chicago and started in to take the medical course. He did 
not finish at Chicago, hut left there and became a student in the Baltimore 
Medical College, now a part of the University of Maryland, and graduated 
from that school. Later he took a ])ost-graduate course in medicine in Johns- 
Hopkins University, which is recognized as the best medical school in the 
Lhiited States. After graduating he began the active practice of his chosen 
profession in Washington C. H., and, with the exception of three years, has 
practiced here for the past twenty-one years. He was captain in the Volun- 
teer Medical Corps in the Philippines from 1900 to 1903, and saw hard 
service during his stay in those islands. He returned to Washington C. H. 
in 1903 from the Philippines and has been engaged in the active practice of 
his profession ever since, with a success which speaks well for his skilled 
training and innate ability as a practitioner. 

Doctor Howell was married J.une 20, 1894, to Edith Belle Coffman, the 
daughter of Benjamin F. and Margaret (Straley) Coffman. Mrs. Howell 
was born in Washington C. H., both of her parents being natives of this 
county. Her father died in 1892, at the age of forty-three, and her mother 
is still ]i\ing in Columbus. Benjamin F. Coffman and wife were the parents 
of seven children : Cordelia, the wife of B. W. Dawley, of Toledo : Edith 
Belle, the wife of Doctor Howell; Clara, the wife of Judge Allen, of Wash- 
ington C. H. : Benjamin F., of Columbus; Margaret, the wife of Carl C. 
Entrekin, of Columbus; Howard L., an attorney in Columbus, and Ruth. 
the wife of John J. Miller, of Columbus. The material grandparents of 
Mrs. How^ell were James A. and Nancy (Hogue) Straley, and were early 
settlers in Fayette county, Ohio, while the paternal grandparents of Mrs. 
Howell, Xathan and Sarah (Edwards) Coffman, were of German and Eng- 
lish descent, respectively, and early settlers in Fayette county. Ohio. To 
Nathan Coffman and wife were born the following children : Lewis C, 
William. Mrs. Charlotte Priddy, James M., Benjamin F., Mrs. Mary Belle 
Parrett, Mrs. Nettie Merchant and Mrs. Hetty Willard. the last two daugh- 
ters being twins. 

Politicallv. Doctor Howell is a member of the Republican party, and 
he has always taken an intelligent interest in political affairs. He was 
county coroner, being elected three times in succession. At the present time 
he is a member of the city council, and is one of the councilmen at large. 
Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and has at- 
tained to the degrees of Roval Arch Mason. Royal and Select Master and 



400 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Knight Templar. He and his wife are l)()tli members of the Order of the luist- 
ern Star. In addition to these fraternal organizations. Doctor Howell is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of 
the Maccabees. The Doctor and his wife are loyal and consistent members 
of the Presbyterian church, in whose welfare they are greatly interested, and 
to whose support they are generous contributors. Mr. Howell has been a 
member of the choir of his church for manv years. 



HON. CHARLES A. REID. 

In placing the name of Hon. Charles A. Reid before the reader as one 
standing in the front rank of the enterprising men of afifairs and a leader 
of the bar at Washington C. H., Ohio, whose influence has tended to the 
upbuilding of the city of his residence and the advancement of the affairs 
of his native county of Fayette, simple justice is done a 1)iographical fact 
recognized throughout the community by those at all familiar with his history 
and cognizant of the important part he has acted in the circles with which 
he has been identified. His career presents a notable example of those quali- 
ties of mind and character which overcome obstacles and win success, and 
because of his eminent ability and his strength of character he has won and 
retains the confidence and esteem of the community. 

Charles A. Reid is descended from good old pioneer stock, which lias 
been identified with Fayette county since the early days. His paternal grand- 
parents. Nelson H. and Barbara (Harley) Reid, were natives of the state 
of Maryland, but in an early day came to Fayette county, Ohio, and here 
settled on a farm, to the operation of which Nelson Reid de\'oted himself 
during his active years. Later he relinquished the labors of the farm and 
moved to Washington C. H., where his death occurred about ten years after- 
wards. To him and his wife were born the following children : Lawson, 
Martha (Crone), Mary (Thomas), Julia (Mayo), William S. (father of 
the subject of this sketch), Ellen (Stokesberry), Nancy (Saunders) and 
Adaline R. (Stuckey). Mr. Reid's maternal grandparents were David and 
Elizabeth (Smith) Creamer, who were born in Virginia and who also were 
numbered among the early settlers in Fayette county. He died when about 
sixty years of age, and his wife at the age of eighty years. Their children 
were as follows : Wallace, who is now ninety-four years of age ; Catharine 




CHARLES A. REID 



PWYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 4OI 

( W'orthington j. now ninety-two years of age; Cynthia (Wentz), deceased; 
Nancy (Stimpson). deceased; Oliver, who (hed in young manhood, and Caro- 
line, mother of the subject. 

William S. Reid, the subject's father, was born and reared in Union 
township, Fayette county, and spent practically his entire life on a farm, 
from which he retired about twelve years ago. He owned a farm of one 
hundred and twenty-five acres, which he improved into one of the best farms 
in his locality, and there he reared his family. He married Caroline Creamer, 
also a native of Fayette county, and to them were born five sons, namely : 
W. Orlando, of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Charles A., tlie immediate subject of 
this review; Howard C, of Paint township; Arthur 11.. of (ireenxille, Ohio, 
and William E., of Jeffersonville. During the C\\\\ War William S. Reid 
enlisted for service and rendered faithful support to the Union cause in the 
ranks. 

Charles A. Reid was born on November 2=^, 1864, on the ])aternal farm- 
stead in Jeft'erson township, this county, and there grew to manhood. He 
received his elementary education in the district school and the high school 
at Washington C. H., after which for a period of five years he taught school. 
Having determined to devote himself to the practice of law, he entered the 
National Normal University, at Lebanon, this state, where he pursued the 
law course, and in i(Sgi was duly admitted to the bar. He located at once 
in Washington C. H.. where he has remained and during the sul)se(|uent 
years he has been numbered among the bus}", able and successful membL-rs of 
tlie local bar. As a lawyer he evinces a familiarity with legal princi])les and 
a ready perception of facts which has w'on him the re]nitation of a safe and 
sound practitioner. Years of conscientious Avork ha\e Ijrought with them 
not only increase of practice and reputation, but also that growth in legal 
knowledge and that wide and accurate judgment the possession of which 
constitutes marked excellence in the profession. By a straightforw^ard, hon- 
orable course he has built up a large and lucrative legal business and has 
been connected with most of the important cases tried in the local courts. He 
is attorney for the Midland National Bank and the Fayette County Bank. 

Politically, Mr. Reid has been a life-long su])porter of the Republican 
party, wdiich manifested its confidence in him by electing him. in 1896. to 
the ofifice of prosecuting attorney, in which responsible position he rendered 
efificient service to his county for six years. In 1910 Mr. Reid was elected 
representative from Fayette county to the General Assembly, and was re- 
elected, thus serving in the seventv-ninth and eightieth Assemblies. In that 
(26) 



402 ' FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

bodv his support was always ^■ive^ to such uieasures as pr()uiise(l to ijeiiefit 
the people aucl he ser\"e(l with. al)ility on a number of important committees. 
Fraternallv, Air. Reid belongs to Jeffersonville Lodge, Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, and to Confidence Lodge, Knights of Pythitis, at Washing- 
ton. C. H. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Reid are active members of the Presby- 
terian church, of which Mr. Reid is an elder, and to the support of which 
scKietv he is a liberal ccMitributor. 

On June g. 1890, Mr. Reid was united in marriage with OIlie Patton, 
wlio was horn on a farm in (ireen townshi]^, this county, the daughter of 
(Jeorge W. and Mary (Rowe) Patton, and to their union has been born a 
daughter. Ruth. ( ieorge \\\ Patton was for many Acars a successful farmer 
in (ireen township, but in 1888 he was elected to tlie office of sherifT, in con- 
sec juence of which he mo^•ed to Washington C. H. He served two terms as 
sheriff and afterwards was elected and served two terms as county treasurer. 
Lie died on March 4, 1901, his widow survi^'ing liim. They were the par- 
ents of five children, Elmer E.. Minnie (Marchant), Metha J., Zella \'. and 
Ollie airs. Reid). 

In every walk of life Mr. Reid has l)een recognized as a high-min(le<l 
gentleman, of integrity and moral worth. AVhile primarily interested in his 
own affairs, he has not been unmindful of the interests of others, contrib- 
uting to the extent of his ability to the advancement of the public good and 
the welfare of his fellow men. Personally he is a man of ])leasing address. 
sociably inclined, and enjoys a large circle of warm and l(\\al friends. 



HOW.ARD LEIGH STITT, M. D. 

The ])h\sician of today is a far nujre efficient servant of the people to 
whom he ministers than e\er l:)efore in the history of medicine. He must 
be broader and more intelligent, have keener insight into the psychology of 
his patients, and with a technical skill which the old practitioners never had. 
The young physicians \vho are beginning to practice todav, if they have had 
the training of our best medical schools, are usually more reliable than the 
old-school physicians a\ ho had nothing but their experience to fall back on. 
Among the younger physicians of Fayette county, who are forging to the 
front in their profession is Dr. How'ard Leigh Stitt, of Washington C. H. 
Although lie has been out of school but a short four years, yet he has already 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 4O3 

demonstrated his ability to liandle his large and increasing' practice in a satis- 
factory manner. 

, Dr. Howard Leigh Stitt, the son of Joseph Young and Mattie l\ 
(Morris) Stitt, was born in Blooniingburg, Ohio, February 3, 1885. His 
l^arents were natives of this county and his. father is still living in Blooming- 
burg, where he is the manager of a drug store. In his younger days Joseph 
Y. Stitt was a school teacher and later became a druggist in Bloomingburg 
and now has the oldest established business in that town. His wife died in 
AJ^y, 1906, at the age of forty-one. Joseph Y. Stitt and wife were the par- 
ents of two children, Howard L. and Ercell Gertrude. The father and 
mother were both members of the Presbyterian church. 

The paternal grandparents of Doctor Stitt were William and FAlcu 
(Holland) Stitt, both natives of this county. William Stitt was a farmer 
living northeast of Bloomingljurg, in Paint township, and later moved to 
Bloomingburg. where he dietl. William Stitt and wife reared a family of 
six children, James, John, Charles, Jose|)h V., Hugh and Ella. 

The maternal grandparents of Dr. Howard Stitt were Robert and 
Ellen (Miller) Morris, natives of Ohio and early settlers in Paint town- 
ship, J^'avette county. Robert Morris died in Washington C. H. at the age 
of sevent\'-one, and his wife is still li\ing at the age of seventy-two. They 
reared a familv of eight children. John, Mattie F., Charles, (iertrude, Frank. 
Corda, Maude and Plarl. 

Dr. Howard Leigh Stitt was reared in Bloomingburg, and after grad- 
uating from the high school in that place entered Miami Universit}- in order 
to take the course necessar}- to enter a medical college. After doing the 
required amount of work in Miami University he entered the Medical Col- 
lege of Cincinnati, an institution which was later merged with the Ohio 
Miami Medical College and is now a part of the University of Cincinnati. 
From this institution he graduated with honors in 1910. and served for a 
year as interne house physician and surgeon in the Good Samaritan Hospital 
in Cincinnati. In 191 1 he came to W^ashington C. H. and opened an office 
for the active practice of his profession, at No. 114 East Market street. 
While he has Ix-en engaged in the i)ractice only a short time, yet he has won 
the confidence of the people to a marked degree, and is rapidly securing his 
share of the patronage of the city and the surrounding territory. 

Doctor Stitt was married October 21, [912, to Margaret McClure, the 
daughter and only child of Robert D. and Henrietta (Eyler) McClure. 
Mrs. Stitt was born at Rarden, Scioto county, this state, both her parents 
being also natives of Ohio. Pier mother is deceased and her father is now 



404 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

]i\ini^" at Peebles, Ohio, althoiii^h tor many years he was a resident of Wash- 
ington C. H. 

Doctor Stitt and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Pres- 
byterian church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons 
and the Knights of Pythias. While at Miami I'^niNcrsity he was initiated 
as a member of Alpha Chapter, Sigma Chi. and has always retained an active 
interest in his college fraternity. He is also a member of the Nu Sigma Nu, 
a ( ireek-letter medical fraternity, which had a chapter at the Medical Col- 
lege of Cincinnati. He also holds his membership in Fayette County, Ohio 
State and the American medical associations. 



CHARLES B. PARKER. 



There are indi\iduals in every community who by pronounced ability 
and force of character rise above the heads of the masses and command a 
place among the leaders of their locality. Characterized l)v jierseverance 
and a directing spirit, two virtues that never fail, such men always make 
their presence felt and the vigor of their strong jjersonalitv serves as a 
stimulant and incenti\e to the }Oung and rising generation. To this ener- 
getic and enterprising class Charles 15. Parker, of the firm of Parker & 
Wood. \'ery properly belongs. A nati\e of this county, he has traveled far 
and wide o\er the western part of the United States and been engaged in 
business as a railroad contractor in nian\ states. b(:>r tlie past ten years he 
has been a resident of this city of his birth and a member of the manufac- 
turing company of Parker & Wocxl, manufacturers of all kinds of wood 
work. His life has l)een characterized bv indomitable energy and persever- 
ance, and the success to which he has attained has been the result of the 
utilization of these qualities. 

Charles B. Parker, the son and only child of Joseph and Eliza (McEI- 
wain) Parker, was born in Washington C. H. October 25, 1875. His father 
was born in Warren county, this state, and reared to manhood in that county. 
As a young man he learned the carpenter trade and followed the building 
and contracting business all of his life. He came to Fayette county shortly 
before the Civil ^^'ar and married Eliza AlcElwain, a native of the county, 
and located in (iood Mope, where he li\ed for a numl)er of years. He then 
moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he followed his business as a builder 
and contractor for a sliort time. In 1878 he returned to Good Hope, in b'av- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 405 

ctte county, Ohio, where his death occurred in the same year, his wife still sur- 
viving him. He was reared as a Baptist, while his wife has been a life-long 
member of the Methodist church. 

Joseph Parker was the son of Joseph and Julia (Holcomb) Parker, 
natives of Ohio. Joseph Parker, St., was a Hardshell Baptist preacher, al- 
though the meager compensation of the preachers of the early days com- 
pelled him to follow some other occupation for a means of livelihood. He 
farmed for many years in Warren county, and later in life moved to Good 
Hope, Fayette county, where he died at an advanced age. His wife after- 
wards died in Washington C. H. Rev. Joseph Parker and wife reared a 
family of four children: Capt. John B. Parker, of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. 
Catherine Yeoman, of the state of Washington; Joseph B., the father of the 
immediate subject of this sketch, and Charles F., deceased. The parents of 
Eliza McElwain, the wife of Joseph Parker, Jr., were William and Maria 
( Nye) McElwain, early settlers of Fayette county, Ohio, where they died at 
an old age. Maria was an aunt of the renowned poet and wit, "Bill Nye," 
and the daughter of Major Ichabod Nye, who made a gallant name for him- 
self in the War of 1812. The original McElwain stock came from Scotland 
and the first members of the family settled in Virginia. William McElwain 
and wife reared a family of nine children, Capt. John McElwain, Mrs. 
Nancy Burner, Mrs. Mollie Nitterhouse, Judge Thomas D., Mrs. Eliza C. 
Parker, Mrs. Asenath Blanchard. Robert T., Mrs. Eva McLean and Mrs. 
Willie Carmean. 

Charles B. Parker was reared in Washington C. H. and received the 
best education which was afforded by the city schools. Upon reaching his 
majority he went to Arizona and located in Kingman, where he engaged in 
the mercantile business and mining for three years. In 1896 he returned to 
Washington C. H., and a year later returned to the West, where he was en- 
gaged in railroad construction work. His father had been a builder and con- 
tractor and in this way he had acquired a fair knowledge of the business. 
He remained in the West and Southwest until 1904, when he returned to 
Washington C. H. and, in company with J. M. Wood and C. F. Parker, 
organized the Parker & Wood Manufacturing Company. They manufacture 
all kinds of wood work and have in their employ from twenty to thirty 
people all the time. Owing to the excellence of their work and their honest 
methods of dealing, they have built up a large trade in their line and are 
classed among the most prosperous and substantial firms of the city. 

Mr. Parker was married June 21, 19 10, to Harriett E. Swope, the 
daughter of George B. and Mary (Pringle) Swope, and to this union have 



406 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

been born two children, Charlotte S. and Harriett Ann. The mother of 
Airs. Parker is deceased, while her father is still living in Washington C. H. 
Mrs. Parker is one of three children born to her parents, the others being 
John and Opal. 

Politically, Air. Parker has always been allied with the Republican 
])arty, but owing to the fact that he has been away from the count}' so much 
and since returning been so busy with his manufacturing interests, he has not 
had the time to take an active part in political affairs. He is a member of 
the Knights of Pvthias, while he and his wife are members of the Metliodist 
Episcopal church. 



TOLEN E. BROWN. 



To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is hcjnored and respected 
from childhood deserves more than passing mention. One ma}' take his 
place in public life through some ^•igorous stroke of public policy and remain 
in the hearts of his friends and neighbors, but to gradually rise to the same 
position, winning through sterling worth and faithfulness to trust, rather 
than by a cra\'ing for popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and com- 
mendation. Such has been the life of Tolen E. Brown, a prosperous farmer 
of Aladison township and the present recorder of Eayette county, Ohio. The 
people are demanding better officials today and when a man proves satisfac- 
tory in office, it is becoming the custom to re-elect him, an honor which has 
come to Air. Brown in the office of count}- recorder. 

Tolen E. Brown, the only child of Isaac and Belle (Vance) Brown, 
was born in Aladison county, Ohio, September 25, 1880. His father was 
reared in Aladison county, and lived the life of a farmer there until his 
death, in 1881 ; his wife lives in this county. The parents of Isaac Brown 
were early settlers in Ross and Aladison counties, Ohio, where thev reared a 
family of four children, John, Isaac. Prudence and Anna. Isaac Brown's 
wife's parents were Thomas and Alary (Harrison) Vance, both natives of 
Ohio. Thomas Vance w^as a farmer and died in Fayette county in middle 
life, his wife still surviving him, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. 
Ten children were born to Thomas Vance and wife, Robert, Batteal, Eliza- 
beth, Rebecca, Benjamin, Alartha, Fannie, Josephine, John and Belle, the 
wife of Isaac Brown. 

Tolen E. Brown was reared in Aladison, Ross and Fayette counties, 
Ohio, coming to Fayette county with his parents when he was eleven years 



FAYETTE COl'NT'i', OHIO. 4O7 

of age. He recei\-ed a good common school education in the district schools 
of these three counties. His father died when he was one year old and he 
lived with his mother and grandmother until reaching maturity. He married 
at the age of tw^enty-one and then began farming in Madison township, this 
county, where he has met with success commensurate with his efforts. He 
was farming in that township when was elected to the office of county re- 
corder in the fall of 1910. and since that time has lived in Washington C. H. 
He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as township trustee of Madison 
township for one term before his election as county recorder, and so satis- 
factory was his first term that he was re-elected in the fall of 191 2, and is 
still performing the duties of that responsible position in a manner which 
indicates that he is a man of ability and efficiency. 

Mr. Brown was married December 24, 1901, to Rosa F. Uhrig, the 
daughter of Philip and Laura (Hammond) Uhrig, and to this union were 
born two children. Selden E. and Beulah May, both of whom died in child- 
hood. Mrs. Brown was born in Ross county. Ohio, her mother being a native 
of this state, while her father was born in Germany. Both of her parents 
are now li\'ing at Madison Mills, Ohio, where they moved after retiring 
from the farm. Phili]) Uhrig and wife are the parents of four children. 
Anna, Rosa. Carrie and Laura. 

Mr. and Mrs. Browai are both consistent members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Fraternally. Mr. Brown belongs to the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows at Washington C. H. and the Knights of Pythias at Madison 
Mills, this countv. 



AMOS THORNTON. 



From the pioneer period through many decades, .A.mos Thornton has 
lieen identified with the business and material interests of Fayette county 
and Washington C. H. and he has won for himself an honorable position in 
the circles in which he has moved. Not a pretentious or exalted life has 
been his, but one that has been true to itself and to which the biographer 
may revert with feelings of respect and satisfaction. He is recognized as a 
man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining 
to the advancement of the community along material, civic and moral lines, 
and for years he has been recognized as one of the representative men of 
his city and county. 

Amos Thornton was born in Union township, Fayette county. Ohio, 



4o8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

within three miles of the court house, on November 27. 1833. His parents 
were Thomas B. and Mahala (Harper) Thornton, who were born and reared 
in Virginia. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Amos, the 
subject of this sketch; James, of Oklahoma; John Anderson, deceased; Will- 
iam H.. of Washington C. H. ; Elon. living in Washington C. H.; Thomas, 
of near Gallatin, Tennessee; Austin, deceased, and Noah, of Union town- 
ship. Thomas B. Thornton was a farmer and acquired the ownership of 
about six hundred acres of land in Union township, which he improved and 
developed into a valuable estate, and there he died in the ninetieth year of his 
age. His widow, who died at the age of eighty-six years, was born in Pen- 
dleton county, Virginia, and was a Baptist in her religious faith. Thomas 
B. Thornton was a man of good business judgment and unquestioned integ- 
rity and served his county efficiently as county commissioner. 

The subject's paternal grandfather came from Norfolk, Virginia, with 
his wife, and they settled near Columbus, Franklin county. Ohio, where he 
died. Eventually his widow came to Fayette county and married again, her 
second husband being Mr. Coyle. She died near Van Wert. To the first 
union were born two children, James and Thomas. The former possessed a 
roving disposition and he drifted away, his subsequent history being un- 
known. The subject's maternal grandparents were Jacob and Phoebe (Har- 
mon) Harper, natives of Pendleton county, Virginia. They came to Fayette 
county in 1829, but subsequently moved to Missouri, where the wife died. 
Mr. Harper returned to Fayette county and his death occurred in Union 
township. To him and his wife were born the following children : Sabina, 
Mahala. Tana. Phoebe, Delilah, Simeon. Enos. Elon. Isaac. Jacob, Noah 
and John. 

Amos Thornton was reared in Fayette county and this has been his 
home for more than eighty years. He lived on his father's farm until seven- 
teen years old, and secured his education in the district schools. When 
seventeen years old he came to Washington C. H. and learned the trade of 
saddler and harness-maker, which vocation he followed for a few years. 
When nineteen years old he made the long, tiresome and dangerous trip 
across the western plains to California, lured by the wonderful tales of sud- 
den wealth to be found there, the trip requiring five months after crossing the 
Missouri river, and ox teams being used for motive power. Mr. Thornton 
engaged in mining gold and passed through many strange and memorable 
experiences. In December. 1856. he returned to his Eastern home and re- 
sumed work at his trade, which he followed until the outbreak of the Civil 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 409 

War, when lie enlisted in Cunipan)- A, First Regiment Ohio Cavalry. He 
served faith f nil}- and courageonsly with this command until the close of the 
war, receiving an honorable discharge on May 31, 1865. Being in the cav- 
alry branch of the army, he took part in many of the most important move- 
ments of the southern armies and had some severe engagements with the 
enemy. Me served in Virginia until 1864, when he went to Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, and was assigned to the quartermaster's department and given charge 
of about seventy-five men who were detailed to make saddles for the army. 

After his return home Air. Thornton engaged in farming in Fayette 
county, applying himself closely to this vocation for fifteen years and meeting 
with pronounced success. He then moved to Washington C. H., and in 1881 
he engaged in the coal business, with which he is still identified, being num- 
bered among the enterprising and successful business men of his city. 

On the 5th day of January, 1857, Mr. Thornton married Artie Allen, 
who was born in I'nion township, the daughter of James and Elizabeth 
(Van Gorder) Allen. To this union were born two sons, James Allen and 
Charles Lawson. James A. is a partner with his father in the coal business. 
He married Louisa Reichart. and they have two children, Robert A. and 
Frank. Charles L., who also is associated with his father and brother in 
the coal business, married Annie Bell and they are the parents of four chil- 
dren, Esyl, Eva, Amos and James. Mrs. Thornton's parents were natives 
of Pennsylvania, who became early settlers of Fayette county, Ohio. They 
came here with one child, and at that time were very poor, the trip being 
made on horseback. However, Mr. Allen was industrious and ambitious 
and eventually became quite well-to-do, accumulating about three thousand 
acres of land. He died here when about seventy-six years of age, being 
survived several years by his widow. Their children were as follows : 
Ellen, Allen, Benjamin, Joseph, Eber, Ann, Madison, Elmira, Rebecca. 
Mariby, Esther and Artie. Mrs. Thornton's i)aternal grandfather, Jeremiah 
Allen, was a native of Pennsylvania. 

Politically, Mr. Thornton has been a life-long supporter of the Re- 
publican party, while, fraternally, he is a member of h'ayette Lodge No. 107, 
Free and Accepted Masons, and to Hayes Post, Grand Armv of the Repub- 
lic. Mrs. Thornton is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a lady of 
charming personality, who has long been numbered among the good old 
ladies of Fayette county. 

Mr. Thornton's long and useful life as one of the world's workers has 
been one of devotion to whatever labor he has addressed himself, and well 



410 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

does he merit a place of honor in every history touching upon the H\xs and 
deeds of those who have given the best of their powers for the betterment of 
their kind. 



WILLIAM H. DL\L. 

Few citizens of Fayette county are as widely and fa^■orably known as 
William H. Dial, one of the oldest real estate and insurance men in Wash- 
ington C. H. and one of the community's most useful and highly esteemed 
men. His life has become a part of the historv of the locality in which he 
has made his home for many years, and his long and honcjrable business 
career has brought him before the public in such a way as to gain the esteem 
and confidence of his fellow men. Keen perception, tireless energy and 
honesty of purpose, combined with mature iudgment and e\ery-day common 
sense, have ever been among his most prominent characteristics, and, while 
laboring for individual success and for the material interests of the commun- 
ity, he has also been largely instrumental in promoting the moral welfare of 
those with whom he has mingled. 

William H. Dial is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having first 
seen the light of day in Clermont county on the 26th da\- of September, 
1847. He is the son of Joseph S. and Lucinda (Weaver) l^ial, who also 
were natives of Ohio. They were the parents of six children, four of whom 
lived to years of maturity, namely: Mary E., unmarried and living in Wash- 
ington C. H. ; William H., the immediate subject of this review; Anna Belle, 
the wife of Barton Fairfield, of near San Francisco, California; David 
Franklin, of New Richmond, Ohio, and two who died early in life. Joseph 
S. Dial was born and reared in Clermont county, and there followed the 
vocation of farming, being the owner of one hundred and ten acres of 
splendid land, which he greatly improved and where he reared his children. 
He spent the greater portion of his own life there, his death occurring in 
1896, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wnfe died in 1904. They were 
both Methodists in their religious faith and exemplified their faith in their 
daily lives. The subject's paternal grandparents, David and Elizabeth ( Rob- 
inson) Dial, were born, respectively, in North Carolina and Ohio, and w^ere 
farming folk. Their deaths occurred in Clermont county, he at the age of 
fifty-five years, and she eight years later, at about the same age. They 
were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely : 
John, Shadreck, William, Joseph, Stephen, ATahla, Mary, Anna and Caro- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 4II 

line. On the maternal side the subject is descended from W'ilham and Mary 
(Robinson) Weaver, natives of Virginia, where they followed farming. 
Eventually. William Weaver brought his family to Ohio, and they were 
numbered among the early settlers of Clermont county. There their deaths 
occurred, he when tifty-fi\-e years old and she at seventy-two }ears. To them 
were born two sons, twins, and four daughters, Wesley, Tdenry, :\lary Ann. 
Cena. Catherine and I-ucinda. 

William H. Dial spent his boyhood \ears on his father's Clermont 
countv farm, and secured his education in the district schools and the high 
school at Amelia, where he graduated. Later, to adequately prepare him- 
self for a business career, he took a course in a commercial school in Cin- 
cinnati, following which, for three years, he was employed as collector for a 
business house. In 1875 Mr. Dial came to Washington C. H. and engaged 
in the insurance, real estate and loan business, in which he has been success- 
fullv engaged continuously to the present time, a period of almost forty 
years. That he has prospered and today enjoys one oi the largest clienteles 
in his line in Favette county is a matter of general knowledge and is due 
entirely to his zeal in going after l)usiness and the honorable way in which 
he has handled it. his relations with his customers ever being of the most 
pleasant and satisfactory character. He possesses a very accurate knowledge 
of real estate values and is considered an authority in the appraisal of values. 
Mr. Dial is a stockholder and director of the Washington Savings Bank and 
Trust Company, and is a man of far-sighted judgment and keen sagacity. 

Politically. Mr. Dial has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic 
party and has filled several city offices with great satisfaction to his fellow 
citizens, being at the present time a member of the board of public safety 
for Washington C. H. Religiously, he is, with his wife, a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a trustee for many years, 
taking an active and effectix'e interest in the various phases of church work. 
Fraternally, Mr. Dial has long been an active and enthusiastic member of the 
Free and Accepted Masons, holding membership in Lodge Xo. 107; Fayette 
Chapter No. 103, Royal Arch Masons: Fayette Council No. 100. Royal and 
Select Masters; Garfield Commandery No. 28, Knights Templar: Scioto 
Consistory, Scottish Rite ^^lasons, at Columbus, and Aladdin Temple, Ancient 
Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has filled practically all 
the chairs in these various bodies, excepting the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. 

William H. Dial has been married twice. On the 13th day of Novem- 
ber, 1870, he married Susanna Foster, who was born at Georgetown, Brown 
countv. Ohio, the daughter of Capt. John S. and Margaret (Thompson) 



412 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Foster. These parents were both natives of Ohio, and both died in Claris 
county, being buried in Fayette county. Mr. Foster was a soldier in the 
Civil War and organized an independent company in Georgetown, of which 
he became captain and with which he served nearly all through the war. To 
him and his wife were born two sons and four daughters, Edwin T., Su- 
sanna, Belle, Catherine, Mollie and John K. John S. lM)ster's father was 
Thomas Foster. To William H. and Susanna Dial were born three children, 
namely : Sarah Frances, who remains at home ; Georgia May. who died 
April i8, 1898, at the age of twenty years; John Franklin, who is his father's 
business assistant, married Ruth Stuckey, and they have a son, William 
Richard, born August 30, 19 14. The mother of these children passed away 
on July 14, 1904, at the age of fifty-three years, and on October 12, 1905, 
Mr. Dial married Georgia Holcomb, who was born in Morgan count}'. 
Ohio, the daughter of B. M. Holcomb, who was the son of Elijah Holcomb. 
Her parents, who were natives of Ohio, lived at various times in Columbus, 
Washington C. H., and Circleville. They were the parents of five children, 
namely: Jennie, the wife of J. N. Riley; Luella Holcomb Arnold, deceased; 
Georgia, the wife of William H. Dial; William E. and Wildia Holcomb 
Morrow. Mrs. Dial is a woman of gracious qualities of character and is 
well liked by all who know her. 

Mr. Dial is a man of genial nature, unassuming" in his relations with 
others, and because of his genuine worth and high qualities of character he 
has deserved the high regard in which he is held by all who know him. 



JOHN WESLEY ANDERSON. 

The history of any city, county or state is the record of the lives and 
deeds of those who have in various ways performed the duties of citizenship. 
In the complex system of society as it is today there is need for men in a great 
variety of occupations. It is fortunate that all men do not want to be 
preachers or teachers or lawyers ; that all men do not w ant to be farmers or 
blacksmiths or railroad men. There are hundreds of occupations in the 
United States today, and a town the size of Washington C. H. will ha\e at 
least a hundred different occupations. An important industry which is 
found represented in every town of any size in the country is the retail meat 
market business and this city boasts of one of the best equipped retail meat 
markets in the state. 



1 \vi-:tte county, oiiio. 413 

John W Lsley Aiukrsoii, the proprietor of the White Tile Meat Market, 
was born near Leeslmrg^, Ohio, September 9. 1870. He is a son of James C. 
and Hannah Ellen (Swift) Xnderson, natives of Ohio and the parents of 
seven children: W^illiam S., deceased; John Wesley, with whom this narra- 
tive deals; Chloc K., the wife of Stephen Rogers, of Seymour, Indiana: 
AUie. the widow of Edward Teeters; Auber I)., now in the Mt. Vernon 
hospital; Dollie, the wife of Addie Coler. of Denver, Colorado, and James H.. 
of Washington C H. 

James C. Anderson was reared near Centerheld, Ohio, and spent his 
boyhood days on the farm. At the opening of the Ci\'il \\ ar he enlisted in 
Company 1, Eighty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for 
three and one-half years. He participated in some of the hardest fought 
battles of that great struggle and was wounded three times while in the 
service. He was killed in a railroad accident at Leeshurg, (^hio, in 1887, '^^ 
the age of forty-four years. His wife lost her eyesight at the age of thirty- 
five and died at the age of sixty. James C. Anderson and his wife were both 
devout members of the Friends church, and were ahvays greatly interested in 
the work of the church. He was a son of Rev. Benjamin and Rebecca 
( Dimmick) Anderson, natives of Ohio and Scotland, respectively. Benja- 
min Anderson was a Methodist minister and one of the ])ioneer circuit 
riders of Ohio. The parents of the wife of James C. Anderson were William 
and Nancy (Amos) Swift, natives of Ireland and Ohio, respectively. She 
died at the age of seventy-six, while he li\e(l until he was ninety-two years 
old. William Swift and wife were the parents of eight children. Hannah E., 
William E., John W., Mattie. Elizabeth, Stafford, Harrison and Jda. 

John W. Anderson was reared on a farm in Highland county, Ohio, 
near Leesburg, and spent part of his boyhood days in town. He attended 
the public schools of East Monroe, and immediately after he left the school 
room began to learn the butcher's trade. He has been engaged in this busi- 
ness for the past twenty-seven years, twenty years of w-hich has been spent in 
Washington C. H. He came to this city in 1894, and for six years worked 
in the shop of William H. Snider, and in 1900 he opened a shop of his own, 
and his place, knowm as the XMiite Tile Meat Market, is a model of cleanli- 
ness and neatness. He understands every angle of the retail meat business 
and by his courteous treatment of his customers and his honest, reliable 
methods, he has built up a trade which is second to none in the city. 

Mr. Anderson was married June 14, 1892, to Jennie M. Browder. the 
daughter of Harmon and Lydia Jane (Coweman) Browder, and to this 
union haA'e been born three children, Harold B., William H. and Chloe. 



414 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mrs. Anderson was ])orn near (ireentield, Ohio, both of her parents being! 
natives of this state. Harmon Browder and wife were the parents of four 
children, Mrs. SalHe Limes. Edward, Mrs. Cora Brown and Jennie, the wife 
of Mr. Anderson. 

Mr. Anderson and his family are loyal members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. Eraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and 
the Roval Arcanum. In politics, he has always adhered to the Republican 
party, but has never l)een active in political matters. 



JOHN CRAIG. 

The life history of John Craig", ex-county auditor of Fayette county and 
a farmer living on his hue tract of eighty-five acres on the Jeffersonville pike 
about one mile from Washington C. H., shows what good habits, industry 
and stanch citizenship will accomplish in the battle for success in life. His 
record is one replete with duty well and conscientiously performed in every 
relation of life and special hcjnor is attached to his career owing to the fact 
that he was one of those loyal sons of the Union who offered his services and 
his life if need be for the preservation of the nation during the dark days of 
the sixties. Throughout his life. Mr. Craig has been an advocate of whole- 
some li\ing and cleanness in ])olitics as well and has always stood for the 
highest and best interests of the community in which so manv of his active 
years have been passed and which has been honored bv his citizenship. 

John Craig was born on December 2^:,, T839. in Cincinnati, Ohio, a son 
of William and Sarah (Van IVlt ) Craig, who were the parents of ten chil- 
dren, the immediate subject being the second child in order of birth. The 
others are Mary Anna (deceased), Charles W. (deceased), Thomas M., 
Asbury j., Amanda K.. Russell, Arabella, Susan Jane and Elizabeth. Will- 
iam Craig, the subject's father, was born in the state of New Jersey and was 
brought to Cincinnati by his parents when a young boy. In that citv he ac- 
quired his trade of a carpenter, at which vocation he worked almost the bal- 
ance of his life. He was married upon first coming to this county, where he 
remained for a comparatively short time, when he returned to Cincinnati, 
where the immediate subject of this sketch was born. While the subject was 
still a baby his father returned to this county, locating at Staunton, where he 
engaged in the general merchandise business and where he remained for 
about fourteen years, when he removed to Marion county, Iowa. It was at 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 4I5 

Staunton, therefore, that the subject received his earHest schooling, later at- 
tending the schools of Marion county when the parents took up their abode 
there. There he passed several years of his younger manhood and he later 
returned to this county with a sister. It w^as from this point, in answer to 
President Lincoln's call to arms, that he enhsted as a private in Company C. 
Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Thomas Kilby Smith. 
For three years he remained in the service and was in many of the most im- 
portant engagements of the war. among them being the battles of Shiloh, 
Haines Bluff and important skirmishes enroute to Vicksburg. He spent a 
tedious period of three months in the hospital at Milliken's Bend. After re- 
cei^•ing his honorable discharge from service, he returned to this county and 
for some time he tra\eled all over the state operating a notion wagon, from 
which he sold goods and took orders from rural merchants. Tiring of this 
unsettled life after a time, he secured a farm in this county, which he rented 
for some time and later purchased the farm which he now owns and where 
he has since made his home. Since obtaining possession of this land he has 
made manv important improvements in it so that today it is considered one 
of the excellent farms of the community. Mr. Craig is a man skilled in 
many lines, as witnessed by the fact that he was in the restaurant and bakery 
lousiness for a time and the additional fact that by his father he was initiated 
into the secrets of carpentr\- and he has followed this trade more or less ever 
since. 

Air. Craig's fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias and he 
is also a member of John Al. P>ell Post No. iig. (irand Army of the Re- 
public. Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Repub- 
lican party, in the affairs of which he has been active in many ways. Mr. 
Craig is a man who is popular with all classes and when his name appeared 
on the ticket as a candidate for the office of county auditor, his friends rallied 
to his support and twice he was elected by a good majority. With the greatest 
efficiency he discharged the duties of that office to the satisfaction of all. 

Shortly after his return from the army, on November i6, 1866, Mr. 
Craig was united in marriage to Matilda A. Sollars, a daughter of Isaac and 
Hannah (Tones) Sollers, the former of whom was a native of Fayette 
count}-. He was a son of Samuel Sollars, a native of Fngland wdio emi- 
grated to this countr\- when a young man and secured government land in 
this state under the administration of President Jackson. Isaac Sollars was 
the father of eleven children, four of whom are deceased. These are Jona- 
than, Isaac M., Jacob T. and Eliza J. Those living are Mary E., Matilda 



4l6 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

(wife of the subject), Wells B., Barton, Ella H., Samuel and Alsina. Mrs. 
Craig has been a resident of this county all her life. Mr. and Mrs. Craig are 
the parents of two sons, Isaac F., who married Anna Artz and resides in 
Dayton, this state, is the father of three children, Lucile, Ellen and Emily. 
William, the younger son. married Barbara Young and has one son. 
Malcolb W. 

Personally, Mr. Craig is a man of clean character who has ever exerted 
a healthful influence in the community, giving his support to any movement 
which promised the advancement of the interests of those about him in any 
legitimate way. He has long been regarded as among those men who are 
interested in the advancement of township and county affairs and through 
his manner of living and his varied interests here he has won a host of 
friends who regard him as one of the leading men of the county. 



HUMPHREN' JONES. 



It can not l)e other than interesting to note in the series of personal 
sketches appearing in tliis liistory the varying conditions that iia\e compassed 
those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to 
throw well focused light onto the indniclualitA- and to bring into proper per- 
S])ective the scheme of each res])ecti\e cliaracter. I'^.ach man who strives to 
fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserv- 
ing of recognition. whate\'er ma\- be liis held (^f endeavor, and it is the func- 
tion of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic 
record concerning those represented in its pages, and tlie value of such pu])li- 
cations is certain to be cumulative for all time to come. I^he l)eginning of 
the career of him whose name heads these paragraphs was characterized bv 
hard work and conscientious endeavor, and he owes his rise to no train of 
fortunate incidents or fortuitous circumstances. It is the reward of the ap- 
plication of mental qualifications of a high order to the aft'airs of business, 
the coinl)ining of keen perceptions and mental acti\ity that enabled him to 
gras]) the o])portunities that presented themselves. Tliis he did with success 
and. what is more important, with honor. His integritv is unassailable, his 
honor unim])eachable. and he stands deser\"edl\- high ^^•ith all who know him. 

Humphre}' Jones, well known lawyer, farmer and l)anker. of W^ashing- 
ton C. H.. is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born on a 
farm near Jeffersonville, Fayette county, on the 31st day of January, 1857. 




HUMPHREY JONES 



FAYKTT?: COUNTY, OHIO. 417 

He is the son nf William H. and Olivia (Hid}) Jones, who were b(_)rn, he in 
Wales about twenty miles south of Liverpool, and slie in h'ayette county, 
Ohio, near Jetlersoiuille. To these parents were born six children, namely: 
Mary ]., w-ife of Luther j\L Irwin, of Jeftersonville, Ohio: Emma O., the 
wife of Richard AlcCormack, of Columbus, Ohio: William H., of Sulli\an 
county, Indiana; Humphrey, the immediate subject of this sketch; Gary, of 
London. Ohio; Minnie J., the wife of Dallas Jveading. of Jeffersonville, Ohio. 
The subject's father, William H. Jones, was in earl}- life by trade a cabinet- 
riiaker and stair-builder. He remained at his home in northern Wales until 
nineteen years of age, when he went to Manchester. England, where he fol- 
lowed his \-ocations, all of the work in those days being done by hand. When 
twenty-six }ears of age he came to America and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
where he was engagetl in stair building and also did considerable general con- 
tracting in the building line. During this period, ambitious to better his condi- 
tion and following a natural inclination, he applied himself to the study of 
medicine in the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati. Cpon completing 
his professional studies, he located at Oak Hill. Jackson county, this state, 
where for two years he practiced medicine, and then came to Jeffersonville, 
where he applied himself to the practice of his profession up to the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1894, when eighty years of age. He was survived 
several years l)y his widow, wdio passed away in 1898, aged sixty-se\en years. 
Religiously, Doctor Jones was, in early life, identified with the Calvinistic 
and I'resljyterian churches, but later he and his wife identified themselves 
with the Cniversalist church. Doctor J(jnes was greatly interested in educa- 
tional matters, was public spirited to an eminent degree and during the earlv 
sixties he served as a member of the board of county commissioners. He was 
also a successful business man, ha\ing become the owner of several valuable 
farms in the countw 

The paternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were William 
a.:u Jane Jones, natives of Wales, where the father followed farming and 
milling, and there spent his entire life and died. Llis widow, with three of 
her children, then started for the United States, following her son W^illiam. 
who was already established here. However, the mother died at sea. and the 
orphaned children were compelled to complete their journey alone. Thev 
reached Cincinnati, where their brother W'illiam tenderly cared for them 
until they reached mature years. These children were David and Jane, later 
Mrs. Burnham. Two other children remained in England. On the maternal 
side. Humphrev lones is descended from loseph and ATarv (Carr) Hidv, the 
(27) 



41 8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

foniier a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. 
He was of German descent and she sprang from Irish antecedents. They 
located in Fayette county. Ohio, where he became an extensive land owner and 
successful farmer in the early days. They both died here at advanced ages, 
he being ninet^ -se\en and she eighty-seven at the time of their deaths. They 
became the parents of ten children, Joseph, Humphrey. Urban, Isaac, Will- 
iam, Olivia (Jones), Margaret (Beatty). Louisa (Tway), Sidney (Brock) 
and Clarissa (Wendle). 

Humphrey Jones was reared on the paternal farmstead near Jetferson- 
ville and received his educational training in the district and village schools. 
He remained at home until attaining manhood and then successfully en- 
gaged in teaching school — that vocation which for thousands has been but 
a stepping stone to higher things. In the meantime, Mr. Jones was applying 
himself diligently to the study of the law and in 1883, after two years study 
in the law office of Hon. Mills Gardner, at Washington C. H.. was admitted 
to the bar. He at once opened an office in Washington C. H.. and has been 
chjsely identified with much of the important litigation in the local courts 
as well as in the courts of other counties in the state and in the federal courts 
during the sulisequent years. He has not onl}' won a wide reputation as a 
successful and able law-yer, but he has also been successful in his pri\'ate 
business affairs, so that today he is counted among the wealth}' men of Fay- 
ette county. He is the owner of much valuable farming land, which demands 
considera!)le of his attention. His farms lie in Wayne. Union. Madison, 
Marion and Paint townships, this county, and in Sullixan county, Indiana. 
Mr. Jones has always taken a special interest in u])buil(ling and developing 
his farm lands and in improving the methods of farming and stock feeding. 
Some fourteen years ago he conceived the idea of building silos for use in 
steer feeding operations and erected several very large concrete silos on his 
lands. These silos are believed to be the first in the United States built on 
any considerable scale for steer feeding purposes. Since then this method 
of steer feeding has been very greatly extended and is now rapidlv coming 
into general use throughout the corn belt of the country. Mr. Jones has also 
l)een a strong advocate of thorough tile ditching and soil upbuilding h\ the 
rotation of crops and handling of live stock, and much of his lands have 
l)een doubled and trebletl in their productiveness by his systematic handling 
and their value greatly increased. In 1895 ^^^'- Jones was one of the re- 
organizers of the People's and Drovers' Bank, at Washington C. H.. one of 
the solid and intiiiential financial institutions of Fa^'ette c()unt\\ and has since 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 4I9 

served efficientl}- as president of that bank, the other officers being Wilham 
U. Thornton, vice-president, and Roy T. McClure, cashier. The capital 
stock of the bank is one hnn(h-ed thousand dollars, with a surplus of thirty- 
five thousand dollars. 

On Jvme 19, 1888, Humphrey Jones was united in marriage with Laura 
B. Willis, the daughter of James M. and Emily (Southward) Willis, of 
Rloomingburg, this county, where Mrs. Jones was born and reared. Her par- 
ents were both natives of Ohio, and both are deceased, her father dying in 
1888. aged eighty years, and her mother passing away at about the same 
age. They were the parents of three children. William R., James W. and 
Laura B. Mrs. Jones' paternal grandparents were Nathaniel and Mary 
(Parker) Willis, who, in an early day. came to Ross county, Ohio, from 
Boston, Massachusetts. Nathaniel Willis is deserving of specific mention 
as the founder of the Yoiitli's Companion, and after his location in Ohio he 
founded the Scioto Gazette, said to be the first newspaper established in Ohio 
and which is still being published. This worthy couple passed away in Ross 
county, this state, and were buried near Bainbridge. By a former marriage 
Xathaniel Willis was the father of two children, "Fannie Fern," the noted 
novelist, and Nathaniel Parker Willis, well known as a poet. 

Politically, Humphrey Jones has been a supporter of the Republican 
])arty and has taken a keen and intelligent interest in public affairs. His 
ability and integrity received substantial recognition when, in 1912. he was 
chosen a member of the constitutional convention, in which he rendered 
effective service to his state. Mr. Jones having in his professional life always 
])een much connected with and interested in real estate law and land titles, 
was the author of and secured the adoption by the constitutional convention 
of an amendment to the state constitution clearing the way for the adoption 
in the state of a system of land title registration. The amendment was rati- 
fied by the people, receiving the second largest vote of any of the fort3-one 
amendments submitted. By reason of his special knowledge of the subject 
Mr. Jones was selected to draft the law, which was, in May. 191 3. enacted 
by the Legislature pursuant to this constitutional amendment providing for 
the system, and he also drafted the forms of record and procedure under this 
law which were approved and prescribed by the attorney-general for the 
guidance of officers and attorneys having duties to perform thereunder. 

Fraternally, Mr. Jones is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, 
holding membership in the lodge at Bloomingburg, as well as the lodge of 
Kniglits of Pythias at the same ])lace. and Washington Lodge No. 129. 



j^20 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious sympathies are with 
the Methodist Episcopal church, of which society Airs. Jones is a mejnher. 

Personallv, Mr. Jones is genial and easily approached, possessing io a 
marked degree those qualities which win friends. He lias ahvaxs stond 
readv to identify himself with his fellow citizens in any good work and ex- 
tend a co-operative hand to advance any measure that is calculated to hetter 
the condition of things in the community. He is a great lover of music, 
possesses se\eral hue old violins and ohtains his greatest recreation in i)lay- 
ing upnn ihem. 



DELBERT C. HAYS. 



The photographic art has made great strides in the past few years, and 
the development of this art from the time the first daguerreotype was put 
on the market down to the present time has kept pace with the advance of 
other arts and sciences. The dexelopment of the camera and kodak has 
heen so rapid that the dealers have hardly been able to keep up with the many 
changes. At the present time hardl}- a town or cit}' of anv size but what 
handles kodaks of some kind antl thousands of amateur photographers are 
found scattered throughout the United States. With all of this development 
it is not to be wondered at that the professional photographer has seen his 
business increased by' leaps and bounds. The desires to have the pictures of 
our relatives and friends was never as strong as it is today, and with the in- 
creased production of photographic supplies, the product has fallen to such a 
price that good pictures are within the reach of all. One of the photograi)h- 
ers of Washington C H. who is attaining an envial)le reputation in his ])ar- 
ticular line is Delbert C. Hays, who has maintained a studio in this city for 
the past se\en years. 

Delbert C. Hays, the son of (leorge i). and Lucv Al. (Williams) Haws, 
was born in Paint township, this county, March 2;^, ^^^3- His ])arents 
were jjoth nati\es of this county, and his father is still operating a farm in 
Paint township, although he is now li\ing in Washington C. H., where he has 
resided for the past thirty years, kor several years he was engaged in the 
coal and ice business in this city, Ijut is now in actixe charge of his farm, 
although not lixing on it. (ieorge D. Hays is the son of Hacknev Ha\s, an 
earlv settler in h'ayette county. Hackney Ha\'s and his wife were the par- 
ents of a large family of children, Lynn, Morgan. George D., James S., Mrs. 
Ellen Mallow, Mrs. Almira Thompson and Mrs. Martha McCoy. All of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 421 

these children, except Lynn and Morgan, are still living. The parents of 
Airs. George D. Hays were H. B. Williams and wife, also early settlers in 
this county. H. B. Williams was twice married, his first wife having died 
many years ago, after which he married again, and to the second union three 
children were born, l^urton. Alice and Fannw There were two children by 
the first marriage, Jay G. and Luc}- Al. 

Delbert C. Hays was reared in Washington C. H. and, after finishing- 
the course in the iniblic schools of this city, began the study of photography, 
and has made this his life work. In 1907 he (Opened a studio of his own, and 
for the past seven vears has been located at the corner of Gourt and Main 
streets. His studio is e(|ui])ped with all of the latest and most approved 
cameras and accessories, enabling him to give his patrons all of the latest 
designs in the i)hotographic art. l>eing a man of artistic tastes and genial 
disposition, he has built u]) a large patronage in the city and county, and has 
the satisfaction of seeing his business increase from year to year. 

Politically, ^Ir. Hays is identified with the Progressive party, having 
cast his fortunes with that part}- upon its organization in the fall of 1912. 
Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and has at- 
tained to the chapter and commandery degrees. Mr. Hays is still a young man 
and has so conducted himself thus far as to merit the hearty ap])roval of his 
manv friends and neighbors. 



AXDA E. HENKLE. 



The Henkle family traces its ancestry back to Jacob Anthon}' Henkle, 
who came to this country in 1717. locating in Pennsylvania, near German- 
town. One of his descendants was Moab Henkle, the grandfather of Anda 
E. flenkle, the present county auditor of Fayette county. Moab Henkle and 
his wife. Amy Bush, were both natives of Fayette county. He was a farmer 
and merchant and died in Washington C. H. in 1872, being about sixty-six 
years old at the time of his death. His wife died a few years later, being 
past sevent\- \ears of age at the time of her decease. M.oab Henkle and wife 
were the parents of a large family of children, Samantha, Melinda, Ella, 
Catherine, Hulda, Simeon. Polly, and Curran W., the father of Anda E. 
Henkle. 

Curran W- Henkle and his wife, Caroline Bryan, were both natives of 
this county and reared a family of eleven children, ten of whom are still 



422 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

living: -\sa C. oi Washington C. H.; llai S., of Chicago: Simeon L., of 
Holland. Michigan: Anda E., with whom this narrative deals; Nona, the 
wife of James T. Perrill, of Union township, this county; Orvis T., of 
Chicago; Lida E., the wife of Ro1)ert S. Schriver. of Mt. Sterling; Guy C. 
oi Chicago; Rosa, the wife of James Lilly, of Columbus, Ohio; John, who 
died in 1896, and Lillie C, who is still at home. Curran W. Henkle was 
reared on the farm and at the opening of the Civil War enlisted in the One 
Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His com- 
pany was captured in Kentuck}- by the Confederates, Init was later paroled 
and rejoined his regiment. After the close of the war he returned to this 
county, where he engaged in farming, contracting, brick manufacturing and 
trading. He died in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, in 1894, at the age of tifty-eight. 
his wife still surviving him. They were members of the Methodist Protest- 
ant church. The parents of Caroline Bryan, the wife of Curran W. Henkle, 

were John and (Reed) Bryan, early settlers in b'ayette county. 

John Bryan was a blacksmith, miller and farmer and died in this county at 
an advanced age. His wife died in Kansas several vears pre\'iousl\-. John 
Bryan and wife were the parents of four children: Hermanns: Rosa; Caro- 
lifK\ the wife of Mr. Flenkle, and one other. 

Anda E. Henkle, the son of Curran \A'. and Caroline (Bryan) Henkle, 
was born in Illinois, March 4, i86('). He was reared on his father's farm in 
h^ayette count}- and attended the district schools until lie completed a good 
education. Being a young man of keen intellect and wide reading, he had no 
difficulty in [)assing the teachers" examination as [)rovided ])\ the state of 
Ohio, after which he started in to teach and for a period of twentx -ti\ e years 
taught in the \arious schools of this count\'. During the summer \acations 
he followed the brick-la}-ing trade, which he had learned with his fatlier. 
As a teacher he ranked as one of the most successful the county has e\er 
had, and it is probably true that no man in the county has a wider ac(piaint- 
ance than Mr. Henkle. .\ glowing tribute to his integritv as a man and 
worth as ])ublic-spirited citizen is shown in the fact that he has been elected 
three times to the oftice of county auditor. Mis first election occurred in 
1908, and he was re-elected in 1910 and 1912. In the administration of the 
duties of tliis oi^ice he has gi\'en the most conscientious and careful serx'ice 
and has earned the reputation of being one of the most eMicient county offi- 
cials. 

Mr. Henkle was married October 31. 1894, to Louisa Short, a daughter 
of Reuben B. and Ellen ( (iibson ) Short. Mrs. Henkle, as well as her par- 
ents, are natives of this countw Her father died in 1912, and her mother in 



FAVKTTK COrXTV. OHIO. 423 

1872, Mrs. Henkle being the only child horn to her parents. The grandpar- 
ents of Mrs. Henkle, Thomas Short and wife, were also natives of • this 
connty. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Henkle was William D. Gibson, 
and his wife was a member of the Sheets family. 

Mrs. Henkle is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Henkle 
belongs to the Free and Accepted :\lasons, including the blue lodge, the 
Royal -Vrch and the commandery degrees. Politically, he is a Republican 
and has always been interested in politics. As a Republican he was elected 
auditor of his county and his party has honored him in elevating him to this 
position on three different occasions. He has a most genial dis|)()sition and 
pleasing manner. His long career in the school room has made him a great 
student of human nature and a man who can always look on the bright side 
of life. It is safe to say that in any list of representative men of his county 
his name would always hnd an honored ])lace. 



ROBERT HOWAT. 



The I'nited States is tlie most cosmo])olitan nation of the earth. Its 
citizens are drawn from every country and clime, and for this reason this 
country is frequently known as the "melting pot" of the world. No nation 
has furni.shed better or more substantial citizens for this country than Scot- 
land, and those who ha\e come from that country ha\e become highly re- 
spected citizens of the various communities where they have settled. I he 
United States census of 1910 credits Fayette county with four native-born 
Scotchmen, and of these Robert Howat, the cashier of the Fayette County 
Bank, is one. Coming to this country as a young man and with no resources, 
he has achieved success by close application to his business and the utilization 
of his innate ability. 

Robert Howat, the son of Robert and Janet ( Howat) Howat. was born 
in Ayrshire district, Scotland, in October, 1851. He was one of nine chil- 
dren and the only one of the family who e\er came to .\inerica. liis father 
was a dry goods merchant in Scotland and died there at the age of sixty-six. 

Robert Howat, Jr., received a good common school education in his 
native land and when a young man came to America and settled in Detroit, 
where he entered the employ of C. R. Mabley, a clothing merchant of that 
city. He remained with him two years, and in 1879 came to Washington 
C. H., where he has since resided. He followed the merchant tailoring busi- 



424 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

ness for sexeral years after locating in this city and then entered the bank- 
ing-business as the cashier of the People's and Drovers' Bank. He re- 
mained with this bank from [(895 to 1908, when he l)ecame connected with 
the Fayette County Bank as cashier. This bank was organized December 2. 
1899, with a cai)ital stock of f\it\ thousand dollars, which has since been 
increased to one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Howat is thoroughly ac- 
quainted with e\ery detail of the banking business and is regarded as one of 
the most efficient and conserAatixe bankers of the city. 

Politically, Mr. llowat is a member of the Republican ])arty and takes 
an intelligent interest in his ])arty's welfare. At the present time he is a 
member of the board of education of his home city, and is acti\e in pro- 
moting ever\- measure which will increase the efficiency of the public schools 
of the city. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons 
and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar. He is a man who is 
recognized as one of the city's ablest business men, and has always been 
active in every ])ublic-spirited measure which ^^•as proposed for the benefit 
of the city. 



VVILLL\M JOHN PATTERSON. 

One of the best known men of the past generation in l'~a}ette county, 
Ohio, and one whose record is well deserving of a place in this history of his 
county, is William John Patterson, a resident of this count\- for more tlian 
half a centurv. He was one of its most prominent and enterprising agri- 
culturists and a man whose heart always beat in sympathy with his fellow 
men. Perhaps his chjminant and most notable characteristic was his fidelity 
to truth and honor and invariably he sought the things that were honest and 
of good repute. In tiie training of his children no precepts were so con- 
stantly or so urgentl\- insisted upon as those which concerned sound and 
worthy character. Me taught them that honor and truthfulness were of 
such commanding worth that self interest should never under any circum- 
stances set them aside, and these principles were the standard bv which he 
estimated men and which he himself religiously held. His life was an inspira- 
tion to all who knew him and his memory remains to his friends and children 
as a blessed benediction of a noble and upright life. 

The late William fohn Patterson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
\ani;i, October <S, 1852, and died in his country home in Fayette county, 
Ohio, (Jctober 8, itji^. passing away on his sixty-first birthday. He was the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 425 

son of Robert and Alarv (Cunningham) Patterson, his father being a native 
of county Donegal. Ireland. Robert Patterson came to Philadelphia when a 
.\-outh and worked in the coal mines in eastern Pennsylvania. He was mar- 
ried in Philadelphia to Mary Cunningham, and to their union were born 
eight children: Ezekiel. deceased; Alary, deceased: William John, whose 
career is here l^rieHy reviewed: Mrs. John Shields: Robert; Mrs. Sarah 
Cassell ; Mattie. deceased, and H. B. 

William J. Patterson attended the pul)lic schools of his native city until 
he was nine }'ears of age, and then came with his parents to Jackson county, 
Ohio, where he fyiished his education. He worked on the farm until he was 
twentv-four years of age, when he married and began renting land in Jack- 
son township, Jackson county. A few years later he purchased two hundred 
acres of land near Byer in Jackson county. A short time afterwards he 
sold this and mo\-ed to Fa}ette county, where he bought a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty-se\en acres in Alarion township. He continued to farm in 
this county until 1901, when he went to Oklahoma and bought a farm of 
three hundred and twenty acres, but four years later sold this tract and re- 
turned to I^^ayette county, buying two hundred and twenty-six acres in Marion 
township and later bought a farm of one hundred acres adjoining the city 
of Washington C. H. On tliis farm he lived until his death in 1913. 

Mr. Patterson was married December 27. 1876, to Harriett AVortman, 
the daughter of Jackson and T^lizal^eth ( Sniff) Wortman. Her father was 
])()rn in ^Muskingum county, near Zanesville, Ohio, and was the son of Joseph 
and Almeda (Patterson) Wortman. Jackson Wortman and wife were the 
parents of six children, Mrs. Minerva Harper, John W^esley, Isaac, Mrs. 
Harriett Patterson. iM-ank and Jesse L. 

Mr. I^atterson and his wife reared a family of eight children, all of 
whom are li\ing and filling places in society. These children in the order 
of their ])irth are as follows: Ortha B., Frances E., Maud, Clara, Robert, 
bd'.ra. 'M'Avv H. and Arthelia. Ortha B. took a business course at Ohio 
Wesle^•an Cniversity, and is now managing the home farm for his mother; 
Francis E. married (irace Thompson and has two children, Edra and Will- 
iam. He is living at Kingfisher, Oklahoma: Maud is a graduate at Bliss Col- 
lege, Cohiml)Us, Ohio: Robert graduated from the Kingfisher, Oklahoma, 
high school and later took the law course at Lincoln, Nebraska: Flora is a 
music teacher: Arthelia is a graduate of the Washington C. H. high school, 
and is teaching: Hazel is also a graduate of the Washington C. H. high school. 

Air. Patterson alw avs took an active interest in the civic life of his 
comnninit\- and served on the school l)oard of Marion township, and also as 



426 FAYKTTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

supervisor of the same township. He was an active and consistent nienil)er 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and was always interested in churcii 
afifairs. His influence for good in the general life of his community was 
most potent and he will be remembered as a manly man of pleasing presence 
and an influential citizen of the county honored by his residence. 



LEWIS CLARK COFFMAN. 

That life is the most useful and desirable which results in the greatest 
good to the greatest number and although all do not reach the heights to 
which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a 
blessing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupx- numerous 
public positions to do so. In the humliler walks of life there remains nutch 
good to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talent 
and influence that will in some wa}' touch the li\'es of those with whom we 
come in contact and make them better and brighter. In the list of Ohio's 
successful and useful citizens, the late Lewis Clark Coft'man, of Washington 
C. H., Ohio, long ()ccu])ied a j)rominent place. In his record there is much 
that is commendable and liis career torcilx' illustrates what a life of energy- 
can accomplish, when plans arc w isel\' laid and actions are g(j\erned b)- right 
principles, noble aims and high ideals. His career was complete and rounded 
in its beautiful simpHcil}'. He did his full duty in all relations of life and 
he tlied beloxed b\ those dear to him and respected and esteemed by his 
fellow citizens, in offering this interesting history of his career it is believed 
that it will serve as an incentive to the youths whose careers are yet matters 
for the future to determine. 

Lewis Clark Coffman, the son of Xathan and Sarah (lulwards) Coft'- 
man, was born in Fayette county, Ohio. January 25, 1S40, and died in Wash- 
ington C. H., fan.uarv 2, IQ02. His parents were l)oth born in Ohio and 
spent all oi their li\es in this count)', \\here they reared a famil_\- of eight 
children to maturit\- : William, who died (^f a fever contracted in the Ci\'il 
War; Lewis C, whose history is here presented; Charlotte, the deceased wife 
of John Prittv ; Mack, deceased ; Benjamin, deceased ; Mary Belle, the wife 
of Thomas Parrett ; Hester, the wife of Franklin Willard. and Jeannette, the 
wife of William Marchent. of Octa, Ohio. The latter two children were 
twins. Nathan Coffman was a farmer and trader and an early settler in 
Fayette county, where he lived in A\'a}ne township. He (jwned a large farm 



i-.wicTTE C()rxT\', OHIO. 427 

and ^\as an int'kKnlial man in his communit}-. lie and his wile l)olh died 
late in life. 

Lewis C. Coffnian, reared in Fayette connty as a farmer s boy, attended 
the district schools and later attended the Wesleyan University at Delaware. 
Ohio. After completing" his college conrse. he tanght school for a few years 
and then began farming in Concord townshij). His father gave him a small 
farm, to which he later added one hundred acres and after farming this for a 
few years, disposed of it and bought four hundred acres on which he lived 
for a few years. Later he became interested in the pork ])acking business 
in Washington C". II., although he still retained his farm and gave it his per- 
sonal supervision. Some years after engaging in the pork packing business, 
he became interested in the lumber business and during his latter years gave 
most of his attention to the latter. His business life was honorable and 
upright and he alwa\s managed his affairs so as to win the approxal of all 
those with whom he had financial transactions. 

Mr. Coft'man was married April 4, 1861. to Alsina Rodgers, the daugh- 
ter of Jackson and Nancy (Jones) Rodgers. To this union ten children 
were born, five of whom are still living, Almira Belle, Nathan J., Harvey 
(irant. Alberta and Elwert, the latter two being twins; Lewis C. and four 
others died in infancy. Almira Belle became the wife of EHas Newton 
Harvout, who died in 1908. Mr. Harxnut and wife had one daughter, Lelia 
C. Nathan |. is in the lumber l)usiness in Washington C. H. He married 
Maude Harlow and has two children, Harlow and ( leraldine. Harvey (irant 
is one of the firm of H. G. Coft'man cK: Company, lumber dealers in Wash- 
ington C. H. Alberta is 1)ookkee])er in her l)rother's oftice. Elwert is single 
and working the planing mill of his brother. Lewis C. is a member of the 
firm of H. Ci. Coffman &: Company. He married Mable Free and has one 
child living, Martha Jane. 

Mr. Coffman was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while 
his wife was a mem])er of the Baptist church. He was a member of the 
l^ree and Accepted Masons and had attained to all of the degrees up to and 
including the Knight Templar degree. Politically, he was a Republican, but 
had never taken an active i)art in political matters. 

The widow of Mr. Coft'man is still living in Washington C. H. She 
was born in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio, on December 15, 1839. 
Her father was born and reared in Ohio and her mother was born in \'er- 
mont. They \vere early ])ioneers in Fayette county. The paternal grand- 
parents of Mrs. Coft'man were Benjamin and (Jackson) Rodgers, 

natives of Virginia and early settlers in Fayette county. The maternal 



428 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

gTandi)arents of Mrs. Coffnian were Amos and Nancy Jones, natives of Ver- 
mont. AJr. Jones and his wife reared a family of four children. Nancy, 
Priscilla, Harvey and David. 

Air. C'offman possessed high and varied qualities of mind and heart and 
had a strong individuality and withal a gentle nature, about which were 
clustered the fondest memories of those dear to him. His was, indeed, a 
union of admirable ([ualities and he ne\Tr ceased, even through the phvsical 
ills tliat afrticted him, to manifest the dignity, the courage, the grace and the 
bearing that came from the heart of a gentleman. He was a supporter of 
all measures looking toward the dexelopment of his home city and was one 
of the foremost workers for ])ushing forward all public spirited measures. 



JOHN M. DEER. 



One of the many retired farmers now li\ing in tlie county seat of Fay- 
ette county is John M. Deer, wluj was for manv years a prosperous farmer in 
Concord townshi]). There is a certain degree of satisfaction in summing up 
the career ot a retired farmer because the verv fact that he is retired is con- 
clusive e\'idence that he has made a success of his life work. That such is 
the case with Air. Deer is shown i)y his hue farm of two hundred and fifty- 
two acres in Concord and Union townships where he lived so many years. 
His wliole life u]) until a few years ago has l)een spent in agricultural pur- 
suits and such has been his good management that he has acquired a very 
comfortable com])etence for his declining years. 

Air. Deer, the son of Absalom and Elizabeth (Wilson) Deer, was l)orn 
in Highland county, Ohio, Xo\ember 22, 1837. His father was a native of 
Culpe])er count^•. Virginia, and came to Highland county when he was a 
young man. .\l)salom Deer was one of four children, the others being 
Fielding, Xancy and Alargaret. bo Absalom Deer and wife were born five 
children: Mary (deceased), John AT, Henry (deceased), Amy and Chad- 
ford ( deceased ) . 

[ohn M. Deer attended the primitive schools of Highland county, Ohio, 
and was a pupil of the Alc\>y and Cox schools in that county. As a lad 
lie was earlv accjuainted with hard manual labor and helped with all the work 
on his father's farm. He commenced working I))- the month when he was 
eighteen )ears old in Highland county and after he was married he located 
in Fayette countw I'nion townshi]). He came to P^avette countv in 18^ q and 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 429 

later bought land in Union township and as he jjrospered added to his land 
holdings until when he retired, in 1913, he had one of the finest farms in that 
township. He owned at one time five hundred and four acres, but gave each 
of his sons a farm. 

Mr. Deer was married in 1858 to Anna Liza AlcClellan, the daughter 
of William and Margaret (Wright) McClellan. To this union there were 
born four children: James, who married Bertha L. Schenk and has two 
children, Eugene H. and John M. : Edwin, who married Carrie Kline and has 
two children, Ruth and Cline ; Rufus, who married Carrie Reed and has one 
daughter, Juanita; Carey, who married Alma McCoy and has one son, Heber. 
The first wife of Mr. Deer died some years ago and he later married Alma 
Mark, the daughter of Thomas and Sina Mark. 

Politicallv. Mr. Deer is a Democrat and, although he has always been 
interested in good government, yet he has never l)een active in political aft'airs. 
He and his wife are consistent members of the .Methodist Episcopal church 
and take a very actix^e part in church work. Mr. l^eer is a man of strong 
convictions and is a firm believer in the (iolden Rule. He is a friend to all 
worthy causes and has lived a life which has endeared him to a large circle 
of friends throughout the countv. 



NATHAN CREAMER. 



The first memljer of the Creamer family to locate in Fayette county, 
(3hio, was George Creamer, the grandfather of Xathan Creamer, with whom 
this narrative deals. George Creamer and his wife. I^lizabeth Barney, came 
from Rockingham county, X'irginia, to this county in 1816. and located on 
military land. The county was only sexen years old when they located here 
and consequently they began life under truly pioneer conditions. They had 
to clear the land, drain the swamps and endure all the privations incident to 
life in any new and unsettled country. The one hundred years which this 
family have spent in this county has seen more changes in the progress of 
civilization than all of the previous years of history put together. Descended 
from such sterling ancestry, it is not to be wondered at that Nathan Creamer 
is a man of excellent qualities and a citizen who is highly honored and re- 
spected in his community. 

Nathan Creamer, the son of Joseph B. and Fdizabeth (Life) Creamer, 
was born about one nfile southwest of Jeffersonville, September t8, 1844. 



430 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

11 is father, who was born in Rockingham count}-, \'irginia, came to this 
county with his parents, George and Elizabeth (Barney) Creamer, when he 
was eight }ears of age, and lived the remainder of his days on the farm where 
his son, Nathan, is now located. George Creamer entered the land from 
the government and put part of it in shape for crops. Under these pioneer 
conditions Joseph Creamer grew to manhood, married and reared a family 
of seven children, Mrs. Afarv A. Tobin, Mrs. Emih- .\rmstrono- George, 
Lewis. Nathan, A. R. and U. G. Of these seven children, three. George. 
Mrs. Armstrong and Lewis; are deceased, the latter dying during the Civil 
War, in which he had enlisted as a member of the Ninetieth Regiment Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. Two of the brothers, A. R. and L^. G.. are prominent 
lawyers and highly respected citizens of the communitv where they reside. 
George Creamer, the grandfather of Nathan, reared a family of five chil- 
dren, David, Joshua, Elizabeth. Mrs. Josiah Huff, and Joseph R., the father 
of Nathan Creamer. 

Nathan Creamer w^as reared on the farm where he was born. He re- 
ceived his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood and 
hnished at Jeffersonville in the graded schools. As a youth he worked on 
his father's farm during the summer seasons and at the age of tw^enty-five 
commenced renting land of his father. After the latter's death he ])ur- 
chased the interests of the other children in the home farm and has since 
been operating it with marked success. He carries on a general system of 
farming and stock raising and, being a man of progressive ideas, has had 
the satisfaction of seeing his efforts abundantly rewarded. 

Mr. Creamer was married in 1872 to Martha M. Cryder, the daughter 
of William and Susan (Carr) Crvder, of Madison county, Ohio, and to this 
union have been born three children, Ansel, Minnie and Jesse C. Ansel, 
now deceased, who was three years in the State L"ni\'ersit\-. died Februarv 
22, 1914; he married Susan Horley, and has three children, Edith E., Anna 
and Ansel. Jr.; Alinnie is deceased: Jesse C. is a student in the Ohio State 
University, where he has completed two years of the regular course. 

Politically, A/Ir. Creamer is a Re]uiblican and has held various offices at 
the hands of his ])arty. He served as supervisor and also as a member of 
the school board, of which he has 1>een president. His ])artv. recognizing 
in him a man of ability and integrity, nominated and subsequently elected 
him to the responsible ])osition of trustee of his t(T\\nship. and he is filling 
this office with honor to himself and credit to the citizens of the township. 
He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church. 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 431 

BENJAMIN I<RANKL1N JAMIS(3N. 

A man's reputation is the pro]>erty of the world, for the laws of nature 
have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the con- 
trolling induence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, 
guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen 
field of endeav(^r. investigation will brighten his fame and ]>oint the way 
along which others ma\- follow with like success. The reputation of Benja- 
min Franklin Jamison, one of the leading older citizens of Union township, 
Fayette county. ha\ing 1)een unassailable all along the highways of life, ac- 
cording to those who know him best, it is believed that a study of his career 
will be of benefit to the reader, for it is not only one of honor but of useful- 
ness also. 

Benjamin Franklin Jamison, successful farmer, residing on his excellent 
farm of two hundred and fifty-four acres located about two and one-half 
miles from Washington C. H. on the Leesburg road, was born on October 
19, 1834, the son of Jacol) and Drusilla (Harrison) Jamison. Jacob was 
born in Kentucky and w hen he was a small lad of six years, his parents came 
to this state and settled first near Frankfort. They, however, remained 
there but a short time and then came direct to this county, with the history 
of which the family has since been identified. 

The innnediate subject was the youngest in a family of eight children, 
the others being Jacob, William, Abraham, John, Merritt, Samuel, Isabelle 
and Benjamin, the subject. Mr. Jamison enjoys the unique privilege (^f 
having ])assed his entire life on the same farm, his birth having occurred in 
a house which stood on almost the same spot where his present elegant and 
commodious dwelling now stands, lie received his education in the com- 
mon schools of the district, taking advantage of every opportunity this sec- 
tion at tliat time afforded and he remained under the parental roof until tlie 
time of his marriage, when he began life for himself. He spent three years 
in Illinois, then returned and bought the old home and gradually increased 
his possessions until he reached his present gratifying state. Throughout his 
career he has shown perseverance and determination of a high order, coupled 
with excellent business ability and this, with his undoubted honor and in- 
tegrity, not only won him material success, but an enviable place in the esteem 
of his fellow-men. 

On September T2, 18655, A'lr. Jamison led to the hymeneal altar Emily 
Jane Tavlor. daughter of Edward and Mary (Smith) Taylor, the former 



432 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

of whom was a nati\e of the state of Kentucky. In early nianliood he emi- 
grated to this state and settled in this county, where he ])asse(l the remainder 
of his life, dying at the advanced age of ninety years. 

While not a memher of any church. Air. Jamison is deeply interested 
in the cause and contrihutes from time to time to such benevolences as appeal 
to his s}'mpathy. Politically, he has always been aligned with the Democratic 
party, although ne\er taking more than a ])assive interest in such matters. 
Mr. Jamison is now in his eightieth year and is enjoying excellent health and 
is in full possession of all faculties. He is an interesting conxersationalist 
and the doors of his handsome home open wide to admit linth stranger and 
friend to such genuine old-fashioned hospitalit}' as is not alwa\s met with. 
Mr. Jamison is properly numbered among the substantial citizens of this 
locality, having contributed in many ways to the advancement of his fellow 
citizens. He is known as one of the most successful raisers of live stock in 
these parts, but has practically given o\er the active management of his busi- 
ness to others, retaining, however, a complete control of affairs. He has, in 
the course of an honoraljle career, been successful in Imsiness affairs and 
is in every way deser\-ing of mention in a biographical history of his county. 



JOHN LOGAN. 

John Logan, one of the leading and inliuential members of the Ijar of 
Fayette county, is a native of the old Bucke^'e state, ha\ing been born in 
Washington township, Clennont county, on January 30, 1857. His parents, 
Lewas Ashby Logan and Sarepta (Taylor) Logan, were both also natives of 
Ohio, the father having been born in Brown county and the mc^ther in Cler- 
mont county. The subject's paternal grandparents were John and Margaret 
(Clark) Logan, the former a native of Kentucky, wdiere lie followed the 
vocation of a farmer. During the War of 1812 he enlisted for active service 
and became the major of a battalion. He and his wife became pioneer set- 
tlers of Brown county, Ohio, and enjoyed the high regard of the communitv 
because of their ui)rig"ht lives and their interest in the welfare of tlieir 
neighbors. They both passed away when about sevent}- }ears of age. Lewis 
A., father of the subject of this review, was reared in Brown county, Ohio, 
and during his early years followed farming as a vocation. Later he became 
an ex])ert millwright and for many years gave his attenti(Mi to a flourishing 
mill business in Clermont county. He died in September, 1803. at West- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 433 

wood, at^ed se\enty-<>ne )"ears, and was sur\-i\-ed a iiunil)cr of }-ears by his 
widow, whose death occurred in October, igoi, in the sexenty-seventli _\ear 
of her a^e. ddie}- were folk n\ sterhnj;- worth and were lons^- consistent 
meniljers of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Sarepta (Taylor) Logan was a 
daughter of John H. Taylor, a pioneer of Clermont county, this state, wdiere 
he followed fanning during his active _\ears, his death occurring there wiien 
al)out seventy }ears old. 

To Lewis A. and Sarepta Logan were born the following children: 
Lewis Ashb\-, who was accidentalh' drowned at the age of four x'ears ; 
Samuel Taylor, of Westwood, Cincinnati, Ohio; John, the immediate sub- 
ject of tliis rexiew ; Harry C, of ^lobile. Alabama; Anna Elizabeth. ])rin- 
ci])al of the state normal department of Miami L'ni\ersity, at Oxford, Ohio, 
and h^rank P., of Clexeland, Ohio. 

When John Logan w'as about nine \ears of age. his ])arents remo\ed 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood. He attended the public 
schools there, graduating from the Hughes high school in June, 1875. Dur- 
ing tlie following \'ear lie was em])loyed as a clerk in a law oRice in Cincin- 
nati, and diu'ing tlie following three years he engaged in teaching scliool. 
LI is year's experience in a law office aroused within him a purpose to make 
the jjractice of law his life work and, to this end, he began the study of Kent, 
Blackstone and other of the great legal authorities in the oFhce of Judge Mar- 
shall J. Williams. Li April, 1881, Mr. Logan was formally admitted to the 
bar and he immediately entered ttpon the active ])ractice of his jjn^fession at 
\\ ashington C. H., where he has remained continuousl}' since and where he 
was soon in command of a representative clientele. Li 1881 he entered into 
a partnership w^ith Judge Williams, a relation wdiich was continued with 
marked success until, in 1885. the senior member of the firm was elected to 
the bench of the circuit court. From that time until January 1, 1893, Mr. 
Logan was in partnership with b^rank G. Car])enter, who is now judge of 
the common pleas court, but since the la.st-named date Mr. Logan has prac- 
ticed alone. He sensed efficienth^ as city solicitor for three years, but other- 
wise has held no public office. 

As a lawyer, Mr. Logan is informed in his professicMi and faithful to 
clients and the law. LT-s has bven connected, on one side or the other, as 
counsel in much of the more i/mportant litigation wdiich has been tried in 
the local courts, and his reputation as a lawyer has steadily increased until 
today his place in the front rank of the profession is generally conceded. Mr. 
Logan is a man of high intellectual attainments, gained by much reading and 
(28) 



434 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Study and close tjljserxalion of men and events. He possesses a. splendid 
library and some of his most enio\'al)le hours are spent among his books. 

On the 26th day of October, 1S87, Mr. Logan married Elizabeth B. 
Pearce, a native of Washington C. H., and a daughter of Elgar B. and Vir- 
ginia Bell ( Knight) Pearce, the latter a native of Fayette county. Elgar B. 
Pearce was well known as tlie editor and i)ublisher of the Ohio State Register, 
but died when comparativel}' }oung. On the maternal side. Mrs. Logan is 
descended from Joseph Bell, her great-grandfather, who was numbered 
among the pioneer settlers of h'ayette county, acquiring considerable land 
adioining the citv of Washington C". H.. much of this land being now within 
the corporate limits. Airs. Logan's great uncle on the maternal side, John 
AL Bell, was a man of consideral^le local ])rominence and ser\-ed as ca])lain 
of a compan\- during the Civil War. 

Politicallv, John Logan is an earnest advocate of the ])rinci])les and ])o]i- 
cies of the Rejiublican ])art}' and has been a fre(|uent figure in the coiuicils of 
that organization. Fraternally, he is a member of Washington Lodge No. 
129. Bene\olent and Protective Order of Elks. A\'hile laboring for his indi- 
vidual advancement, Mr. Logan has never forgotten his obligations to the 
public and his su])port of such measures and movements as make for the 
general good can always be depended upon. A man of \-ig(^r(uis mentality 
and strong moral fiber, he has achieved signal success in an exacting calling 
and is eminently deserving of the large prestige which he enjovs in the com- 
munity with \vhich ])racticalh' all his matur(^ life lias been identihed. 



JOSEPH YOUNG STITT. 

The history of this section of the Buckeye state is not an ancient one. 
It is the record of the steach' growth of a community planted in the wilder- 
ness not much more than a centur\- ago and reaching its magnitude of today 
without other aids than those of continued industry. Joseph Y. Stitt, to a 
short sketch of whose career the reader's attention is now directed, is directly 
descended from one of the earliest pioneers of this section and the family 
has, therefore, been largely instrumental in speedily bringing about the satis- 
factory conditions of community life which early obtained here; while the 
immediate subject of this sketch hlls a place of trust and responsibility, and 
the manner in which he is esteemed by his fellow citizens clearly indicates 
how satisfactory indeed is the service he renders. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 435 

Joseph \'. Stitt, the popular pharmacist of Bloomingburg. Fayette 
count}', Ohio, was born on June 8. i860, on a farm near the town where he 
now resides. He is a son of John and EHza (Holland) Stitt. the former 
of whom was the son of Luke and Jane (Young) Stitt. Luke was a native 
of the Emerald Isle, born in county Down. When cjuite a young man he 
emigrated to the L^iiited States in search of greater opportunities, and finally 
located in this state, being one of the first settlers in this section. He ob- 
tained government land, all of which was in a primitive state, and by his own 
unaided efi:'orts reclaimed the broad and smiling acres from the grasp of the 
wilderness. This necessitated many years of hard work, with the limita- 
tions and privations of the earlv settlers, but he lived to see conditions greatly 
changed and his children enjoying opportunities undreamed of in his young 
manhood. His son John, who was the father of the immediate subject, 
was one of the first white children born within the bounds of this county. 

The subject was one of a family of six children, being the fifth child in 
order of birth. Eleanor ].. the oldest of the family, is dead, as is also John 
W.. the fourth child. James H. resides at Jamestown, this state, and Charles 
L., who married Hattie \'an Pelt, now deceased. Thev have one child. 
Georgia. Hugh, the voungest of the family, makes his home in Elgin. Illi- 
nois. During his earlier years, the subject attended the school of Bloom- 
ingburg and. when older, went to Lebanon, Ohio, where he took the normal 
course of training. He labored earnestly to fit himself for the profession 
of teaching and succeeded well in his undertaking. For six years he was 
engaged in teaching and also operated a farm at the same time. However, 
he was not thoroughly satisfied with the life of an instructor of youth and 
began thinking seriouslv of entering the retail drug business. He secured a 
position in a drug store, and has jjeen engaged in that line ever since. 

In August. 1882, Mr. Stitt was united in holy matrimony with Mattie 
Morris, daughter of Robert and Ellen (Miller) Morris, whose death oc- 
curred on Mav 14. igo(). ]\lrs. Stitt was a woman who had a great many 
warm friends who well knew her excellent qualities. She was a devoted 
wife and mother and a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. She 
was laid to rest in the Bloomingburg cemetery and the influence of her life 
still goes on through the lives of her husband and children. She was the 
mother of two children. Howard, a practicing physician located at Washing- 
ton C". H., whose wife is Margaret McClure, and L"'^rsel G.. who remains at 
home with the father. Mr. Stitt is an earnest member of the Presbyterian 
church and liis fraternal affiliations are with the time-honored bodv of Free 



436 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and Accepted Masons and the Knisjhts of Pythias and in the work of these 
local organizations he takes a commendable interest. 

Air. Stitt's entire life has l)een passed in this locality, where he is known 
and respected by all, and since engaging in his present business he has enjoyed 
a liberal and constantly growing patronage. He carries a well selected stock 
with all accessories usually found in such a store and because of his correct 
business methods, uniform courtesy to his patrons and his evident desire to 
justify the confidence placed in him. he has long enjoyed his full share of 
the business in this line. He understands thoroughly everv detail of his 
business and intelligently supplies the needs of his patrons. Mr. Stitt is 
accounted among the best citizens of this locality, being e\er desirous of con- 
tributing his share toward the moral, social and material growth of the 
comnuinitv. 



FRANK DILL. 



Though more than a decade of )ears has elapsed since Frank Dill was 
transferred from the life militant to the life triumphant, his personalit}- is 
still fresh in the memor\- of his many friends who remain in bayette count}', 
where for so man\- years he was regarded as one of its leading citizens. 
Because of his many excellent personal (|ualities and the s])len(li(l and defi- 
nite influence which his life shed o\er the entire locality in which he lived 
so long and which lie la1)ored so earnestly to u]jbuil(l in any way in his 
power, it is particularh- fitting that s]jecific mention should 1)e made of him in 
a work containing the ])iogra])hies of the representati\e men ot his count}'. 
A man of high moral character, unimpeachable integrity, persistent industry 
and excellent business judgment, he stood "four-sciuare to e\er}- wind that 
blew," and throughout the locality where he lived he occupied an enviable 
position among his fellow men. A glance at the ])eautiful surronndings of 
his home is sufficient to convince anvone that the pride of his life and the 
desire of his heart was for his family. His home life w^as beautiful and he 
planned daily to make those dependent upon him comfortable and happ}-, and 
it can ])e truly said of b^'ank Dill that he loved his wife and children, and to 
him home was the dearest place on earth. 

The late Frank Dill was born December 13, 1857, about three miles 
south of Rain1)ridge, Ross county. Ohio, and died at his beautiful home in 
jeffer.son township, b^ayette county, Ohio, September 22, 1902. He was the 
son of AA'illiam and ]\Iarv (Kellv) Dill, natives of Ross county, and the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 437 

parents of eight children : Elisha, Maggie, Ella, Frank, Lewis, William, 
i\obert and Edward. The father of William Dill was a native of Vir- 
ginia and an early settler in Ross county, this state. 

Frank Dill received a good common school education in the schools of 
his native county, and later attended Salem Academy at Chillicothe, this 
state, where he completed his education. He then took charge of the home 
farm and a few years later came to Fayette county, where he purchased a 
farm in Jefferson township and started in to farm for himself. He proved 
to be a very successful farmer and year by year added to his land holdings 
until at the time of his death, in 1902, he was the possessor of five hundred 
acres of fine farming land in this county. He placed extensive improve- 
ments upon his farm and because of his home being surrounded by beau- 
tiful maple trees, he christened his homestead "Maple Hill,'' and by this 
name it is known throughout the county. He was one of the most extensive 
farmers and stock raisers of the county and marketed his stock by the car 
load every year. About two weeks before his death he went to Kentucky 
to buy cattle for his farm and while away from home became ill and yet con- 
tinued at work, hoping to wear off the effects of his illness, but was finally 
compelled to return home, when it was found that he was suffering from 
typhoid fever, and within ten days he was removed from the land of the liv- 
ing. He was a man of sterling business qualities and his business, next to 
his family, received untiring attention. He was honest in all of his dealings 
and in every transaction his word was never called into question at any time. 
While his material accumulations were considerable, yet his methods were 
always honorable and his integrity and uprightness were never questioned. 

Mr. Dill was married December 19, 1888, to Letitia Hays, the daughter 
of Morgan and Eliza (Larrimer) Hays, and to this union were born four 
children : One who died at the age of ten months ; Hays, who graduated 
in June, 1914, at the Ohio State University; Claire, who died at the age of 
thirteen, and Dorothy, who is now twelve years of age. Hays* is a finely 
educated young man and immediately after his graduation took charge of the 
home farm, in which he is showing marked skill in managing. 

Fraternally, Mr. Dill was a member of the Knights of Pythias. His life 
was indeed a busy one, his private affairs and his home making heavy de- 
mands upon his time, yet he never allowed it to interfere with his Christian 
obligations or the faithful performance of his duties. Always calm and 
straightforward, never demonstrative, his life was a steady effort for the 
welfare of his fellow citizens. He had the greatest sympathy for his fellow 



438 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

men and was always ready to aid and encourage those who were struggling 
to aid themselves. When he believed he was on the right path, nothing could 
swerve him from it. His home life was a sacred trust and his friendships 
were inviolable. He commanded the respect of all classes by his exemplary 
life and his memory will long be revered by his many friends and acquaint- 
ances. 



Wn.iJAM WALLACE JAXES. 

The biographies of the representative men of anv count}' bring li» light 
many treasures of mind, character and courage which iiia\' well arouse the 
pride of their families and of the communities where they lived. The late 
William Wallace janes was distinctix-elv one of the leading citizens of Vny- 
ette county. Ohio, and as such made his influence felt among his fellow men. 
A man of (juiet and refined disposition, yet his very integrity and strength 
of character forced him to the front in such a way as to cause him to l)e 
recognized as a leader in the community and a man w ho always commanded 
the respect of his contemporaries. The good that a man like Mr. Janes can 
do in the course of an active life is incalculable and cannot be measured in 
metes and bounds. He li\e(l an unselflsh, heljjful and altruistic life, and 
his fellow citizens were made better by having come into contact with him 
in his daily life. 

The late William Wallace Janes was born May 8, 1830, in Jefferson 
township, this county, and died Alay 20, 1909, on the farm where he was 
born. He was the son of George and Elizabeth ( Carr) Janes, his father 
ha\ing been born on the same farm. ( ieorge Janes was the son of William 
Janes, a natixe of Rockingham count}-, \"irginia, and was a prominent farmer 
of Jefferson township, and reared a familv of children who were a credit to 
his good teachings, James. William Wallace, Catherine, Albert, Erank and 
Thaddeus. 

William W. Janes attended the district schools of his immediate neigh- 
borhood and from his earliest boyhood days assisted his father on the home 
farm. He continues to live at home until his marriage, after which he 
began to farm a part of the old home farm. He prospered exceedingly and 
was enabled to augment his possessions from time to time until at the time 
of his death he was the owner of four hundred and twent}-five acres of flue 
land in Jefferson township. His farm was one of the best improved in the 
county, and was a tribute to his skill as a farmer and his good management 
as a business man. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 439 

Mr. Janes was married January if), 1884, to I^ninia ( ilaze, llie daughter 
oi Adam and Luc)- ( Baughn) Glaze. Adam Glaze was born in Rocking- 
ham county, A'irginia, and when a youth came to this county with his parents. 
George and Catherine (Turnipseed) Glaze, who brought their family from 
Virginia in 1S15. and settled on Paint creek. To Adam Glaze and wife 
were born eight children, Mrs. Catherine Fultz, Mrs. Kliza1)eth Seymour, 
Mrs. Samantha Engle, Mrs. Drusilla Boyd, Mrs. Emma Janes. Mrs. Ella 
Squier and Chandler. Three of these children, Samantha, Drusilla and Ella, 
are deceased. 

Mr. Janes and his wife reared a family of three children. Ered C, 
Thomas and Erank. Ered C. married Mary Allen and has three children, 
Marion. Ellen and Susan ; Frank is a graduate of Ohio State University and 
is now engaged in the fruit l)usiness. The other son, Thomas, was a student 
in Ohio State Uni\ersity and is operating the home farm. 

Politically, Mr. Janes was a life-long Republican and was frequently 
honored by his party b}' l)eing elected to positions of trust and responsibility. 
He served as trustee of Jefferson township, and for manv years was a mem- 
ber of the school board, serving as president of the board of education of 
Jefferson township. He was a man of high civic ideals and a warm sup- 
porter of all measures and enterprises tending to advance the general wel- 
fare of his cominunity. Always calm and dignified, never demonstrative, 
his life was a persistent plea, more by precept and example than by written or 
spoken words, for the purity and grandeur of right principles and the beauty 
and ele\ation of wholesome character. 



WILLL\M A. THARP. 



The career of William A. Tharp extends over a period of half a century, 
practically all of which has been spent in Washington C. H., where his long 
residence and extensive business career have given him a wide acquaintance 
throughout the county. He is one of the substantial and enterprising busi- 
ness men of the city, who. from a small beginning, has built up a constantly 
enlarging trade. He is a fine example of a successful, self-made man, who 
is not only eminently deserving of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow 
citizens, but also possesses those necessary qualities which fit him to dis- 
charge the duties of any responsibility with which he may be entrusted. He 
comes from an old and highly respected family and was reared under ex- 



440 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

cellent home inlinences, the result being that he is an ideal American citizen 
and stands for the best things in civilization. 

William A. Tharp, of the firm of W. A. Tharp & Company, clothing 
merchants, was born in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio, July 13, 
1864. His parents. William A. and Sarah Ellen (Davis) Tharp, were also 
natives of this county and reared a family of five children: William A.; 
Benjamin M., of Dayton, Ohio; Charles D., of Washington C. H. ; Frank 
E., of Dayton, and Lizzie, the wife of Frank McCoy, of Akron, Ohio. 

William A. Tharp, Sr., was reared in this county and spent his whole 
life within its limits. He was a stock buyer in Washington C. H. during his 
active life and handled thousands of head of cattle during his life time. 
His death occurred when about fifty years of age. His wife was about the 
same age at the time of her death. He was a member of the Episcopalian 
church, while his wife adhered to the Methodist faith. William A. Tharp, 
Sr., was the son of Daniel and (Stoops) Tharp, natives of High- 
land county, this state, and early settlers in Fayette county. Later in life 
Daniel Tharp and his family returned to Highland county, where they lived 
to an advanced age. He was an extensive farmer and for many years man- 
aged a tavern at Samantha, Ohio. Daniel Tharp and wife reared a large 
familv of children, William A., James, John, Eli, Mrs. Alva, Johnson and 
Mrs. Brown Moore. The father of the wife of William A. Tharp, Sr., was 
Jacob Davis, who, with his wife, were natives of Virginia and pioneer set- 
tlers in Wayne township, this county, where they spent the remainder of their 
days. Jacob Davis and wife had a family of five children. Nancy, Benjamin, 
Jacob, William and Sarah Ellen, the wife of William A. Tharp, Sr. 

The education of William A. Tharp, Jr., was received in the schools of 
Washington C. H., and when sixteen years of age he began clerking in the 
clothing stores of this city. He was an efficient clerk and in this way ac- 
quired all of the details of the clothing business, so that when he embarked 
in the same line of activity for himself in 1898 he was capable of making 
his business successful from the beginning. He organized a company in 
1898 under the firm name of W. A. Tharp & Company, and for the past six- 
teen years has conducted a successful clothing establishment in this city. 
He has a well appointed and up-to-date store and carries a large stock of the 
latest style clothing and wear for men and boys of all kinds. 

Mr. Tharp was married August 2, 1885, to Minnie E. McKee, the 
daughter of John L. and Lena (Schumm) McKee, and to this union there 
have been born six children. Minetta L., Edwin M., Robert B., Lora Ellen, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 44I 

W'ilma Marie and C'haiiene. lulwin M., who married Irene Curtis, and has 
a daug"hter. Alarjorie, is a nevvs])ai)er reporter and editor of the Ohio State 
Journal, at Cohimbiis; Minetta L. married Richard Ramsey and lives in 
Washington C. H., while tlie other children are still unmarried and living 
with their parents. 

Air. Tharp is independent in ]X)litics, preferring to cast his ballot for the 
best citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations. Fraternally, he is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias 
and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his wife are loyal 
members of the Fpiscojial church. 



MAYNARD W. ECKLE. 



Prominent as a successful farmer, public official and progressive citizen 
of Madison township. b"a}'ette county, Ohio, is Maynard W. Eckle. He is a 
man of great energy and determination and has attained a definite degree 
of success along agricultural lines. As trustee of Madison tow-nship, he is 
giving his fellow citizens conscientious and efficient service and is attending 
closely to all of the details of this office. Mr. Eckle has an interesting side 
line from which he derives no small part of his annual income. For several 
years he has followed the auctioneering business throughout his county and 
neighboring counties, and has met with a marked measure of success along 
this particular line of activity. 

Maynard W. Eckle. the son of William and Clara (Holland) Eckle. 
was born in Marion township, this county, July 26, 1880. His father was a 
native of Highland county, this state, and was the son of Jacob and Ellen 
(Hudwell) Eckle. He came to Fayette county when a young man. Jacob 
Eckle and wife always lived in Highland county, where they are now buried. 
William Eckle is a prominent retired farmer now li\iug in L'nion township, 
this countv. near Washington C. H. He and his wife reared a family of 
five children: Ernest, who married Mattie Stewart: Pearl, who married 
Margaret Fulton; Ora, who married W. E. Gwinn, now deceased; Hazel, 
who is still living with her parents, and Maynard W., whose history is here 
presented. 

Maynard W. Eckle was educated in the district schools of Union town- 
ship, and later attended school in Dayton, Ohio, where he completed his 
edncati'inal training. He married at the age of twenty, and at once began 



442 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

farming for himself on a farm of one hundred and forty acres >ix miles 
northwest of Bloomingburg. As a farmer he is one of the most progressive 
in the county and divides his attention l^etween the raising of crops and the 
handling of live stock, with the result that he has the satisfaction of seeing 
his farm yield satisfactory returns each year. During the spring and fall 
he acts as auctioneer for farm and stock sales of all kinds through(3Ut this 
and adjoining counties. He has met with a degree of success along this line, 
which indicates that he is a man of ability as an auctioneer. 

Mr. Eckle was married July 12. 1900, to Ona Grimm, the daughter of 
James Madison and Alice (Beal) Grimm. Her parents were killed in a rail- 
road accident January 2S, 19 13, at Haines' Crossing. Four children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eckle, Clarence, Opal, Louis and Leo. 

Politically, Mr. Eckle is a stanch Republican and has always been inter- 
ested in local politics. At the present time he is the trustee of Madison 
township, as well as clerk of the White Oak school board, and in both capac- 
ities he renders efficient service to those he serves, and is well deserving of 
the high regard which is accorded him by his fellow citizens. Fraternally, 
he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Eckle is a young man of great 
promise and is a valuable asset to the community in which he lives. He 
lends his hearty influence to all worthy measures and thus is eminently de- 
serving of a place among the representative men of his townsliip and counts'. 



NATHAN C WILCOX. 



As long as history endures the American nation will acknowledge its 
indebtedness to the heroes of sixty-one, who fought for the preservation 
of the Union and the honor of that starry banner which has never been 
trailed in the dust. Among those whose military records as valiant soldiers 
during the War of the Rebellion reflect lasting honor upon them and their 
descendants is Nathan C. Wilcox, retired merchant of Jefifersonville, Ohio. 
All of his active life has been spent in mercantile pursuits and upon his re- 
tirement from active business cares, about ten years ago, he was regarded as 
one of the most substantial business men of his city. 

Nathan C. Wilcox, the son of Dr. Joseph and Mary J. (McClanahan) 
Wilcox, was born March 13, 1845, i^i Noble county, Ohio. His father was 
a native of Maryland and his mother of Ireland, being born in the northern 



FAYETTE COrXTY. OIIK). 443 

part of the island near Londonderry. Doctor Wilcox and his wife were 
early settlers in Xoble county, Ohio, and later moved into Vinton count}-, 
this stale, where the}' \\\ed the remainder of their lives. Doctor Wilcox 
was a prominent physician of Vinton county for many years, and retired 
about fifteen }'ears before his death, which occurred at Allensville, Vinton 
county. Doctor Wilcox and wife were the ])arents of eight children, Jane. 
Robert S., Mrs. Alarv L. Cooper, Mrs. Isabel Miller, Mrs. Anna Wilson. 
Nathan C, John \V. and Mrs. Alice Paine. 

Nathan C. Wilcox received his education in the common schools of 
Allensville, Vinton county, this state. His father had a general store in the 
town and from his boyhood Nathan clerked in his father's store. During 
the summer of 1864 he worked for three months as a teamster for the 
government. In August of that year he enlisted for the one-hundred-day 
ser\ice in Company C, One Hundred Seventy-eighth Regiment Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry. He served until the end of the war and then returned to 
Vint('n count}- and engaged in the mercantile l)nsiress with his father. After 
his father's death he continued to manage the store in Allensville until he 
went to Marysville, Ohio, where he managed a store for four years, and in 
1883 located in Jefferson ville, this county, where he engaged in business 
until 1904, when he retired from active life and is now living quietly in 
Jeffersonville surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of modern 
hfe. 

Mr. Wilcox was married in 1859 to Margaret E. Culy, the daughter of 
Dr. David and Elizabeth (Dean) Culy, of English descent and early settlers 
in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox reared a family of four children to lives of 
usefulness and honor, Charles R., Grace, (leorge H. and Leo. Charles R. 
married Grace Mock, and has three children, Roy, Earl and Doris, and is 
li\-ing in Traverse Citv, Michigan; Grace is the wife of David S. Craig, of 
Washington C. H.. and they have three children, Christina, Marvin and 
Margaret; George H. married Viola Schath ; Leo married Amy Hindman, 
and they have a family of four children, Maurine, Margine, Hubert and 
Robert. 

Mr. Wilcox has been a life-long Re])ubrcan, but his mercantile interests 
have demanded so much of his time and attention that he never took an active 
part in political affairs. At present he is a member of the school board of 
Jeffersonville and deeply interested in the welfare of the school system of 
his town. Fraternally, he is a member of the time-honored order of Free 
and Accepted Masons and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar. 



444 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

He is a member of the Grand Army post of Jeffersomille and takes an active 
interest in the annual meetings of the old veterans of the conntv. He is one 
of those men who has not only been successful in his own private affairs, 
but has. when called upon Ijy his fellow citizens, been a prominent factor in 
contributing to the general welfare of the community in which he has resided 
for so mauA- vears. 



WILLIAM S. HUCHISON. 

One of the families of Fayette county whose history presents many fea- 
tures of unusual interest is the Huchison family. \\'illiam S. Huchisou. 
whose history is presented in this connection is one of the most substantial 
farmers of Union township. He is a man of progressive ideas and has 
attained a success which stamps him as a man of keen business ability and 
good management. While devoting himself primarily to his own interests, 
yet he has not neglected his larger duties to the community life and has so 
conducted his life as to be a type of the community in which he resides. 

William S. Huchison, son of Richard and Zipporah (Hanna) Huch- 
ison, was born November 27, 1853, in Ross county, Ohio. Richard Huch- 
ison was born in Noble county, Ohio, and was the son of James and jane 
(Wood) Huchison. Zipporah Hanna, the wife of Richard Huchison, was 
born March 10, 1832, and died December 4. iqo;. She was the daughter of 
Matthew aed Mary .\nn (Orr) Hanna, natives of Pennsyh^ania and early 
settlers in Harrison county. Ohio, where Zipptjrah was l)orn. Matthew 
Hanna and wife reared a family of twelve children, Robert, Mrs. Jane 
Turner, Mrs. Zipporah Huchison, James, Mrs. Sarah Harley, William. Mary, 
Matthew, Odessa, Martha, John and Watson. All of these children are now 
deceased except Robert, William, Matthew and Watson. 

Richard Huchison and Zipporah Hanna were married January 22, f^S.v 
and began housekeeping at Slate Mills, Ohio, but li\ed near Washington 
C. H. until the death of the husband and father. Richard H.. after which 
the mother took up the tasks of rearing the famil\- of Wxa children. Two 
of the daughters died in childhood, but she reared the three sons to lives of 
usefulness and honor. She sent them all to school and kept the familv 
together, e\en buying a small farm, where William, whose history is here 
recorded, is now li\ing. She was a life-long and devout member of the 
Presbyterian church, l)eing a faithful attendant for more than half a centurv. 
She is now buried in the cemetery at Washington C. H. Richard Huchison, 



FAVKTTE COUNTY, OHIO. 445 

the tatl.er ..I ilic ininiedialc subject of this review, settled in Ross county, 
Ohio, after hi> niarria.i^e and from there nu)ved to Fayette connty, this state. 
In 1857 he tinah)- located in L'nion township, this comity, where he was liv- 
ing in 1862, when he enlisted in the Civil War. He was mustered in as a 
member of Company C. One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, and was killed during the siege at Vicksburg, on May 22, 
18G3, leaving his widow with five children, William S., Mary, James M., 
Eliza and John. 11ie two daughters are deceased, while the three sons are 

still living. 

William S. Huchison was about ten years of age when his father was 
killed and he was brought up by his mother, who gave the three sons every 
possible advantage. At the age of sixteen years lie l)egan renting land and 
has always been known as a man who was not afraid of honest labor. That 
he has Ijeen successful is shown by his land holdings, ninety acres in Fayette 
c(3unty, one hundred and sixty acres in the state of Nebraska, and ninety 
acres in Greene county, this state. 

Mr. Huchison was married in 1879 to Maria 11iom])son. the daughter 
of John and Virginia (Brown) Thomp.son. of Paint township. John 
Thompson was born in Virginia in Monroe county, and was the son of x\lex- 
ander and Margaret (Dickinson) Thompson. Alexander Thompson was 
also a native of Virginia and came to Jackson county. Ohio, early in its 
history. Thomas Brown, the father of Virginia Brown, the mother of Mrs. 
Maria Huchison, took part in three wars, the W^ar of i8i_>. the Mexican 
War and the Civil W'ar. He died in Newton. Jasper county. Illinois. John 
Tliompson and wife were the parents of nine children. Mrs. Maria Huchison. 
Mrs. Emma Pme, Mrs. Alice Wood, Alexander, Mrs. Susan Pinkerton. 
Frank, Ella, Charles and Mrs. Winnie Innn. Alexander and Ella are de- 
ceased', while the others are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Huchison haxe five 
children: Herbert, deceased; Ethel, who married Wilbur Hire, and has two 
daughters, Evelvn and Virginia; Warren, who married Icy Hidy, and has 
one^daughter, Velma : and two. Loren and Walter, who are still unmarried 
and living with their parents. 

Politically, Mr. Huchison is a Democrat and has always taken a deep 
interest in pohtical matters, particularlv in local affairs. He has been a 
member of the school board of Union township. Fraternally, he is a loyal 
member of the Sons of Veterans, and is commander (^f the B. H. Millikan 
Camp. Mr. Huchison is a man of open-hearted frankness and unaffected 
simplicity, and has a host of friends throughout the township and county 
who admire him for his many good qualities. 



446 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

HARLEY T. WILKIN. 

It matters much less where a man may be born and how he comes into 
this hte. or rather the conditions surrounding his entrance on to the stage 
of action, than the environment thrown around him in his boyhood days. 
Undonbtedly herechty and environment estabhsh a man's position in the 
\\orld and the indi\ichial who is well born and whose surroundings make for 
his best dexelopment is the man who makes a success of life. Harley T. 
\\'ilkin, of Washington ('. H., has been peculiarly blessed in both respects, 
ha\ing come from old and highl}' esteemed ancestors and haxing ]:)een reared 
under excellent home influences. 

Harle\- F. Wilkin, of the firm of H. T. W'ilkin & Comi)an}'. clothing 
and dealers in gents" furnishing goods, was born in Highland county, Ohio 
August 15, iH.S^. His parents, Charles A. and Susanna (Nesbit) Wilkin 
were nati\es of the same count}- and are still living in Hillsboro, that county 
The}' were the parents of four children: l)langie Z., of Hillsboro; Harlev 
T., of Washington ( ". H.; Roger L., of Hillsboro, and Henry M., also of 
Hillsboro. Lharles \. Wilkin was reared as a farmer's lad in Highland 
count}, this state, and became a general merchant at Newmarket, Ohio, 
where he was engaged in Ijusiness f(jr thirtv }ears. At the ]:)resent time he 
is engaged in the lumber business at Hillsboro, with the C. F. Whistler 
Luml)er Com])an}-. He is also interested in agricultural pursuits, owning a 
tine farm in Highland count\-. He is a luemlier of the Baptist church, while 
his wife adheres to the Presb}terian faith. 

The jiarents of Charles .\. W'ilkins were Isaac and Matilda ( Kdwards) 
W'ilkins. natives of Virginia and Ireland, respectively, and early settlers in 
Highland count}-, Ohio. Isaac Wilkins w-as a farmer and he and his wife 
reared a famil}- of five children in that county, Haiuilton E., Charles A., 
Efhe, Thomas and .Arthur. The parents of the wife of Charles A. Wilkin 
were William and Lucinda ( b^akins) Nesbitt, natives of Highland county, 
this state. W illiam Xesliitt died in that count}- at an advanced age, while 
his wife still survi\es him. residing in the county where she was born. Will- 
iam Nesbitt and wife had two children. Henry and Susanna, the wdfe of 
Charles A. Wilkin. 

Harley T. W'ilkin was reared in Newmarket, Ohio, and attended the 
public .schools there until fifteen years of age, after which he took the course 
in the high school at Hillsl)oro, Ohio. He then began clerking in a clothing 
store in Hillsl)oro, and continued working there until he was twenty- four 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 447 

years old. While clerking he made it a point to become acquainted with 
every detail of the clothing lousiness and when he came to work in Washing- 
ton C. H., in August, 191 1, and established his present business, he was al- 
ready in close touch with the management of this particular line of business. 
He is a wide-awake and progressive young man and is rapidly building up 
a large trade in the cit}- and surrounding community. He has a neat and 
attractive store with modern equipment and displays his goods in such a way 
as to attract his customers. He carries a large and well assorted stock of 
exerything worn by men and l)oys, and by his courteous treatment and 
affable manner he is rapidly forging to the front as one of the successful 
business men of his ado])ted citv. 

Mr. Wilkin was married on Christmas day, iQog, to Lucy Scott Bean, 
the daughter of William X. and Mary (Scott) Bean, and to this unicm has 
been born one son, Daniel Scott W'illiam Wilkin. Mrs. Wilkin was born in 
Hillsboro. where her parents are now living, and is one of tw^o children, the 
other being Lois, who is still with her parents. The paternal grandparents 
of Mrs. Wilkin were the ])arents of three children, William, John and Mollie. 

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Wilkin were Daniel and (Pulse) 

Scott, who also had three children, Mary, Sarah and Charles. 

Mr. Wilkin is identified with the Democratic party, but has been too 
much engrossed A\ith his business affairs to take an active part in political 
matters. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Fra- 
ternallv, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. 



HENRY L. HIRE. 



One of the largest land owners of Fayette county is Henry L. Hire, 
who has spent his whole life in this county. In the course of a life of sixty- 
five years he has accumulated a farm of seven hundred and thirty acres, and, 
according to the 19 10 census, is one of the thirty-three men who own more 
than fixe hundred acres of land in this county. His parents were pioneers in 
Fayette county, having located here shortly after the organization of the 
county in 1810. His father dying when he was a youth of sixteen, he was 
compelled to assume the responsibility of managing the home farm, and 
from that time until he retired from active farm life he lived on the place 
where he was born. 

}lenr\' L. Hire, the son of Jackson and Anna (Ivessler) Hire, was born 



448 FAVKTTE COUNTY, DITTO. 

November 6, 1849, i" Jefferson township. P^ayette county, Ohio. His father 
was also a native of this county, his grandfather having- been one of the first 
settlers in this section of the state. Jackson Hire and wife were the parents 
of two children. Henry L.. and Sarah, deceased. 

Henry L. Hire was educated in the district schools of his home town- 
ship and finished his education in the schools of Bloomingburg. His father 
died when he was sixteen years of age and two years later he took charge 
of the home farm, his mother residing with him until her death. His farm, 
known as the Blue Grass Stock Farm, is located north of the town of Jeffer- 
sonville, and consists of six hundred and thirty acres of fine farming land, 
on which he lived until a few years ago, when he retired from the active 
life of the farm and bought his present home adjoining the town of Jeffer- 
sonville, with wdiich is connected a farm of (^ne hundred acres and one of 
the most beautiful country homes in the county. While in active farm life 
he has made a specialty of stock raising, l^reeding and liandling Shorthorn 
cattle and Jersey Red hogs. 

Mr. Hire was married in 1869 to Angeline r>r(U-k, the daughter of Jack- 
son and Sarah (Little) Brock. Mr. Hire has been a life-long Democrat and 
in his younger davs was active in political matters. He ser\'ed on the school 
board of his township and was president of the l)oard for several years. At 
the ])resent time he is serxing as trustee of Jefferson township, and in this 
capacity is furthering the interests of his fellow citizens in ever\- possible 
wav. He and his wife are loval and consistent members of the Afethodist 
Protestant church, in whose welfare they are interested and to whose sup- 
port thev are generous contriluitors. 



HON. HORACE LANGDON HADLEY. 

An enumeration of the representative citizens of Ohio who have won 
recognition and success for themselves and at the same time conferred honor 
on their coninuuTitv, would be incomplete were there failure to make definite 
mention of the gentleman whose name introduces this review, Hon. Horace 
L. Hadley, whose name is a familiar one in this section of the state, where 
he has held worthv prestige in legal and political circles. He has been dis- 
tinctively a man of aft'airs, wielding a wide influence among those with whom 
he has associated, ever having the welfare of his community at heart and do- 
ing what he could to aid in its progress and development. He firmly believes 




HON. HORACE L. HADLEY 



FAYETTE COl'NTV, OHIO. 



449 



tlie old b)uckeye state to be one of the nT.)St attracti\e, i)rooressive and i)ros- 
perons of any in tlie Union and it has always been (hie to such men jis Air. 
Hadley that she could justly claim a high order of citizenship and a spirit of 
enterprise which conserved consecutive development and marked advance- 
ment alono- all lines of upbuilding. Mr. Hadley early achieved a splendid 
record at the bar and through the subsequent years he enjoyed an acknowl- 
edged standing in the front ranks of the legal fraternity, being connected, as 
counsel, with much of the more important litigation in the courts of Fayette 
and neighl)oring counties. In discussions of the ])rinci])les of law, Mr. Hadley 
has always been noted for clearness of statement and candor, his zeal for a 
client ne\er leading him to urge an argument which -'^ his judgment is not in 
harmonx- with tlie law. \\y a straightforward, honorable course, he built 
ui) a large and Incratixe legal business, and financially has been successful 
above the average of his calling. 

Horace L. Hadley comes of sterling old Yankee stock, having been born 
in Sandwich, Xew Hampshire, on May 7. 1837, and is a son of Winthrop and 
Sybil (Worthen) Hadley. The subject's paternal grandparents were Daniel 
and Hannah fOrdway) Hadley, who.se children were Lvdia, Hannah. Daniel, 
Joseph, Da\-id, Dorcas, Samuel, John. Mary, Keziah, Cynthia, Betsy and 
W'inthroj) ( fatlier of the subject). By a prior marriage, to Mehitabel Whit- 
taker, Daniel Hadley had two children, Tamar and Mehitabel. On the ma- 
ternal side, the subject's grandparents were Deacon Jose])h and Hannah 
(Aleacham) Worthen, to whom were born four sons and four dauo-hters, 
namely, Sybil, fTannah, Sallie. Mary, Moses. Joseph, Amos and Samuel. 

Horace L. Hadley is indel)ted to the common schools of his home neigli- 
1) )rh()o(l for Ins elementary education, which he supplemented bv attending 
tiie private academy conducted by Daniel G. Beede, at Center Sandwich. 
Ha\irg early detenuined to adopt the legal ])rofession as his life work, in 
t8co he began the tudy of law in the office and under tlie direction of Sidney 
C. Bancroft, of Salem, Massachusetts. He was thus engaged at the out- 
break of the Ci\il War, wlien, feeling that his country's necessity super- 
seded all personal ambitions, he laid aside his ])ooks and. on August 26. 1862. 
enlisted in Company C, Fifth Regin.ient Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. 
He ser\-ed with this regiment until it was mustered out in July. 1863. at 
Wenham. Massachusetts. On September 16. 1862. while the Fifth Regiment 
was in caiup at Wenham. Mr. Hadley was admitted to the bar and. securing 
a furlough, he went to Newburyport. where the court was then in session, 
and took the oath as an attorney and counselor at law. Mr. Hadley's mili- 
(29) 



450 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

tary service was characterized by duty faithfully and uncomplainingly per- 
formed and after his return from the army he entered at once upon the active 
practice of law at Danvers, Massachusetts. He was successful, but, desiring 
a wider held for the exercise of his talents, in April, 1870, he came to 
Washington C". H., Ohio, arriving here on April 8th. He at once opened an 
office and his abilities were soon recognized by his new-found professional 
brethren. Four years after locating here, Mr. Hadley formed a professional 
partnership with Judge Maynard, an association which was maintained from 
October i, 1874, to May i, 1885. As stated before, Mr. Hadley was suc- 
cessful both in the practice of his profession and also in business affairs of 
a private nature, so that during the past few years he has to a considerable 
extent relinquished his professional labors and is giving his attention chiefly 
to his real estate interests, a part of his liolding l)eing four valuable farms 
in the vicinity of Washington C. H. 

On September i, 1868, Mr. Hadley married Sarah Elizabeth Emerson, 
who was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, January 5, 1846, the daughter of 
Daniel and Elizabeth (Batchelder) Emerson, of Danvers, and a granddaugh- 
ter of Col. T<^hn Batchelder, who served in the War of the Revolution; on 
the paternal side, she was a granddaughter of Darius and Sarah (Thomas) 
Emerson. 1'o Mr. and Mrs. Hadley were born the following children : 
Olive Batchelder, bom May 11, 1879, was married on May 11, 1903, to 
William E. Springer, of Washington C. H., Ohio, and they have two chil- 
dren, Elizabeth Louise and Wilhelmina. The subject's other child, Harry 
Lawrence Hadlev, is a minister of the Episcopal church, having charge of a 
parish at Martin's Ferry, Ohio ; he remains unmarried. 

In his political affiliations, Mr. Hadley is a strong Republican and for 
many vears has been a conspicuous figure in the councils of his party. His 
ability and services were recognized and in October, 1881, he was elected a 
member of the Legislature, his term commencing on January ist following. 
In October, 1883, he was re-elected and served until the close of the session 
of 1885, a period of four years, during which he ever stood for such measures 
as promised to be of the greatest benefit to the people generally. In 1900 and 
1 901 Mr. Hadley served as city solicitor of W^ashington C. H., and was also 
a member of the city council for one term. 

Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley have long been active and earnest 
members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Hadley is a retired deacon. 
Fraternally, he is a member of Temple Lodge No. 227, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the encampment branch of that order. He 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 45 1 

keeps alive his old army associations through his membership in R. B. Hayes 
Post. Grand Army of the Republic. 

Thus briefly have been outlined the leading facts in the career of one 
who has rightfully earned a place in the permanent annals of his county. 
He has given to the world the best of an essentially virile, loyal and noble 
nature and his standard of integrity and honor has ever been inflexible. He 
has been the architect of his own fortune and upon his entire career there 
rests no blemish, for he has been true to the highest ideals and has lived 
and labored to worthv ends. 



HENRY CASEY. 



The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is one of the widely 
known and honored citizens of Fayette county, where for over half a cen- 
tun- he has been a valued factor in the development of the same, prominently 
identified with the various interests of his community. Almost his entire 
life has been given to the vocation of farming and he is now living in com- 
fortable retirement in Bloomingburg where both he and his good wife are 
(|uietlv enjoying the fruits of their earlier and more strenuous years. 

Henry Casey was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on December 
28, 1837, being a son of George and Catherine (Brakiron) Casey, the former 
of whom was also a native of the same county. During the earlier portion of 
his life he was a blacksmith by trade and resided in a number of towns in his 
native state. His later years he devoted to farming and was located at vari- 
ous points in Illinois and Iowa, where he went in search of a suitaljle location. 
His death occurred while he was residing in Wayne county, Iowa, as did also 
that of his wife, and both lie buried in the cemetery at Allerton, that state. 
They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom have passed from 
this life. They are Susan, Rebecca, David, Calvin, Daniel, Elizabeth and 
Malinda. Henry, the immediate subject, was the fourth child in order of 
birth and the others living are James, the eldest of the family, Ashibal and 
Mary. 

The subject's early education was very limited indeed, he having had the 
advantage of only six months schooling, but he later realized something of 
what he had missed and endeavored in every possible way to acquire useful 
information along various lines. He was early trained in the work about a 
farm and w hen a young man served two years on boats plying the Mononga- 



452 ^ FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

hela river. He soon became dissatisfied with this Hfe and returned to the 
life of the soil, in which he passed the remainder of his acti\e years. He 
first came to h'ayette county on November i8. 1860, and secured work on a 
farm. Here be remained for several months and, early fired with patriotism, 
he enlisted for ser\ice with the Union early in the struggle between the two 
factions of our nation. On September 8. 1861, he enlisted as a private in 
Compan}' C, Twentieth Regiment Ohio X'olunteer Infantry, his regiment 
being assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. This regiment saw much 
active ser\'ice during the next three years, among the leading engagements 
being that of b\)rt Donelson, the battle of Shiloli, engagements at i')i)li\ar. 
Tennessee; luka, Mississippi; Raymond, Mississippi; Champion's Hill, X'icks- 
burg and Jackson (Mississippi), Baker's Creek. Kenesaw Alountain. b)nes- 
boro, Lo\ejo}' Station, Orangeburg, Raleigh. Xickajack and Sa\annah 
((ieorgia). Although having seen so much acti\e ser\ice, Mr. Casey was 
so fortunate as to escape without injury and after the close of the war he 
returned to Washington C. H. Here, on February 8, 1800. he \va> united 
in matrimonv with Katharyn Holland, a daughter of Charles and bdizabeth 
( W'indle ) Holland. Charles Holland was a nati\e of the state of Mary- 
land and was brought to this state by William Ogden when he was four years 
old. The}- settled first in Ross count}-, but remained there only a short time, 
when the}- remoxed to Madison count}'. Here young Charles grew to 
manhood and when still ^-oung began farming on his own account. Here 
he married Elizabeth Windle. Their union was blessed with three children: 
Kathar}-n. the wife of the sul^ject, b^ing the }-oungest of the famih- : Rachael, 
the eldest, is Mrs. Brown and Susan, who became Mrs. Baldwin, is dead. 
The Holland famil}- were among the earl}- settlers of this part of the state 
and. being people of intelligence and high moral status, the}- were earlv 
prominent in the best interests of the count}- and left the impress of their 
individualities upon many of its institutions. Both Mr. and Mrs. Holland 
bave passed frt)m this life and were laid to rest in the cemetery at Blooming- 
burg. 

Mr. and Mrs. Casey were blessed with nine children, namel\- : E\-a, 
who married Wesley Eberhart and who is the mother of four children, Arle}-, 
Arthur, Merritt and Gladys, all of whom are in school. Frank, the oldest 
soil of the family, married Margaret Ball and they have three children. Bliss. 
Bessie and Mary. Carrie is the wife of F"rank McCoy and has borne four 
children, but three of whom, Geneva, Charles and Howard, are living, and 
Marie is dead. Cora became the wife of Claud Andrew- and is the mother 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 453 

of two children, Dorris and Dwight. Myrtle married Elmer Clever and 
has one child, Alarjorie. Ollie married Herhert Plummer, while Cahin 
chose as his wife Elizabeth Porter, who has borne iiim fi\'e children, Walter, 
Cabin, Mar}', Herbert and Francis. 

Mr. Casey's fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Free and 
Accepted Masons and he is also a member of Miram Judy Post No. 449. 
Grand Arm\' of the Republic. Both he and his good wife are earnest mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many vears have sought to 
li\'e in strict conformity with its teachings and to advance its interests 
in e\ery way i)ossibIe. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have enjoyed a wedded life ex- 
tending' o\er a longer period than that of the average and are hoping soon 
to celebrate the fiftieth anni\ersar\- of that e^■ent. Mr. Case\- attained a 
gratifying" degree of success during the years of his la]>or and owns an ex- 
cellent farm of one hundred and se\entv-fi\e acres. They are spending their 
latter years in comfortable retirement, surrounded b)- their children and manv 
grandchildren who bring untold pleasure into their lives. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Casey are enjoying" excellent health and bid fair to live manv more years 
in full possession of all the faculties which make life enjoyable. They have 
always been regarded as among the very best families of the community and 
have an ever widening circle of friends and acquaintances, a fitting tribute 
to their wcirthv and useful lives. 



KELLKV DIXON. 



Ihe man who lias li\ed ninety \ears in this country was born when 
John (juincy Adams was President of the L'nited States. One of the oldest 
men of ba\ette county is Kelley Dixon, who was born in Bedford county. 
\'irginia, in the year 1823. His life has been replete with interesting inci- 
dents and tins brief sketch can do little more than mention most of them. 
As a young man he made the trip oxerland to California in 1849, '^"'^' unlike 
most of those who made the tri]j. he came back with his pockets full of gold. 
He promptly invested his money in b'ayette county land and is now probably 
the largest land holder in the count}-. He has eighteen hundred acres of fine 
land in Wayne township, being one of the four men of the county to own 
more than a thousand acres of land. 

The parents of Kelley Dixon were I'homas and Margaret (dance) 
Di.Min, jjotli nalnes of Kentuck\-. b^arh" in their married career thev mo\e(l 



454 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



to Kentucky where Thomas Dixon became the overseer of the slaves on a 
large plantation. In 1834 Thomas Dixon and his family moved to the state 
of Ohio and located on tiie river near Ripley in Brown county. A few years 
later they permanently settled in Fayette county and bought land in Wayne 
township. Thomas was a soldier in the War of 1812, his father, also called 
Thomas, being a Revolutionary soldier. Thomas Dixon, Sr., and wife are 
buried in Kentucky and his son, Thomas, Jr., and wife are buried at Goofl 
Hope, in Fayette county. To Thomas Dixon, Jr.. and wife were born eight 
children. Abner, Ellis. Kelley, Susan, Richard, Henry, jane and (riles. .\11 
of these children are now deceased with the exception of Kelley, (iiles, Kich- 
ard and Jane. 

Kelley Dixon removed with his parents from Virginia to Kentucky and 
thence to Ohio, arriving in the latter state when he was eleven years of age. 
Consequently his education was received in Kentucky and Ohio. I)ut. owing 
to the limited school facilities of his day. his education was very meager. 
In i8_ic), at the time the California gold fever was at its height, he went over- 
land with a party to that state to seek his fortune in the gold mines. They 
had considerable trouble with the Indians on the way to the west, but finally 
reached there safelv. He met with good success in his mining operations 
and returned a few years later with considerable gold. The return trip was 
made by way of the Isthmus of Panama and was tilled with many exciting- 
experiences. 

On returning to b'a\ette count}- Mr. Dixon decided to in\est the most 
of his hard-earned wealth in good farming land and in so doing exhibited 
good foresight. The land, which was cheap at that time, is now worth 
several times what he paid for it in the fifties. He has long since retired 
from acti\'e farm life, altliougli he still retains the general su])er\ision of 
his large estate. 

Mr. Dixon was married in 1855 to Armilda Urakefield. who died about 
six years ago. To this marriage were born four children, Sheridan, jean- 
ette and two who died in infancy. Sheridan, who dietl in Ma}', igi4. mar- 
ried Ethel Sho1)e and has one son, Kelley. jeanette married first William 
H. Rodgers. His death occurred in T901, and they had six children, Kelley, 
ivobert. Ernest, Hamilton, Ola and Mary. Mrs. Rodgers married for her 
second husband H. D. Hoppes. 

Politically, Mr. Dixon has been a Democrat for the past seventy years 
and has alwavs been one of the advisers of his party in local affairs. He 
lias ne\er wished for office, Imt has frequently assisted his friends to political 
preferment. He has long been identified with the Methodist Episcopal 



FAVKTT1-: C()l'XT^■. OHIO. 455 

church and is a consistent niemher, as was his wife dnring her lite time. 
Mr. Dixon is one of the oldest pioneers of the county and hnks the past with 
the present. He is still hale and hearty and can recount many interesting- 
stories of the old days. He is now facing the evening of life and can look 
back over a long life filled with good deeds and feel that he has not lived 
in vain, that he has made the community where he has spent so many years 
the l)etter hecause of his presence. 



EDWARD L. BUSH. 



it is interesting to note in the personal histories of many of the repre- 
sentative citizens of Fayette county, ( )hio, that a large number of their 
forefathers fought in the War of j8i2. Ohio was a battle ground for many 
years between the whites and the Indians and from the organization of the 
Northwest Territor}- in 1787 to the hnal treaty of (leneral Wayne in 1795, 
there was hardly a year passed l)y when there was not a pitched battle be- 
tween the two races. However, the (jreenville treaty of 1795 did not put 
an end to Indian depredations, the British constantly inciting the Indians to 
murder the few ])ioneers scattered over the state of Ohio. During the War 
of 1812 practically every able bodied man in the state enlisted for service 
and the Ohio troops served with gallant distinction wherever they were 
placed. The first members of the Bush family settled within the present 
limits of Fayette county, Ohio, early in the nineteenth century, and this 
representative, Daniel Bush, the grandfather of the immediate sketch, was 
a soldier in the War of 18 12. His widow was one of the very last pension- 
ers of that w-ar in Fayette county, where she lived until over ninety-four 
years of age. Daniel Bush was 1)orn in Pendelton county. Virginia, and his 
wife, Susan Baughn, was a native of North Carolina. They both emigrated 
to this county with their parents and were married in Fayette county, and 
lived here until their death. They had a family of fourteen children, thirteen 
of \vhom lived to maturity, married and reared families of their own. 

John S. Bush, the father of Edward L. Bush, and one of the fourteen 
children of Daniel Bush, was reared in Fayette county, where he was born. 
He was a mere youth at the opening of the CWW W^ar, Init this did not deter 
him from offering his services to his country. He enlisted twice and served 
with distinction until the close of the war. He died in 1893, while his wife 
died in J 877, being only about thirty years of age at the time of her death. 



4^6 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

They liad a family of six children: I^lmer R.. deceased; Ceiia, the wife of 
D. F. Oshiirn. of ]\lilled,^e\ille, Ohio; Edward L., whose history is here re- 
corded; Corwin C, of W'auhay, South Dakota; Alnieda, unmarried, and 
Armetha, widow of Dr. j. O. Lieuellen. Almeda and Armetha were twins. 
The parents of Jane Creamer, the wife of John S. Bush, were Henry and 
Isabel (Burnett) Creamer, natixes of Ohio and pioneers of Fayette county. 
Henry Creamer taught school in the early history of this county and in later 
life followed the occupation of a farmer. Henr}- Creamer and his wife were 
the parents of three children. Jane, Corwin and May. 

Edward L. Bush, one of the six children horn to John S. and Jane 
(Creamer) lUish, was horn in Union township, this count}', September 19, 
iH()(j. He was reared on his father's farm in Union township, received the 
best education which the district schools alTorded and then entered the Ohio 
Normal University at Ada, Ohio. After lea\ing the unixersity he taught 
school for live years in this count}-, and in the meantime reading law with 
the intention of entering the legal profession. He was admitted to the bar 
on October 24, 1894, being t\vent\'-five years of age at the time, and im- 
mediately began the active i)ractice of his profession, locating at Jefferson- 
\ille, this count}-. He mo\ed to Washington C. H.. Decemlier 1 h, i()02, to 
take the office of prosecuting attorney, to which he had been elected. He 
served in this capacity for two ternis of three years each, after w^hich he 
oj)ened a law- office in the county seat, where he has since practiced. He does 
a general legal business and is recognized as one of the ablest members of 
the Fayette county bar. 

Mr. Bush was married June 5, 1895, to luHth ( ). Carman, a daughter 
of Isaac H. and K'hoda (El}er) Carman, and to this union has been born 
one daughter. Mabel Doroth}-. .Mrs. lUish, as well as her mother, was born 
in Fayette count}-, while her father was a nati\e of Xew Jerse\-. Her par- 
ents are now li\iug in Union tow^nship, where they ha\e reared a family of 
eleven children; Mrs. Myrtle llarrop. Etta Hyer (deceased), Edith O., 
Alden G.. William L., Airs. Eva Braden, Earl, l-red D., .Mrs. Charlotte EicheU 
berger, Madge (deceased) and Paul R. 

Politically, Mr. Bush is a Republican, and has alwaxs been active in the 
affairs of his party in this count}-, which honored him with two nominations 
for county prosecut(^r. and his subsec|uent election following each noniination 
l)ears ample testimony- of his i)0]:)ularit}- as a citizen and his standing as a 
lawyer in the county. 

Mr. Rush is connected with many of the business interests of the county, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 457 

and is a iiieniber of the board of directors of the Farmers Bank of Jefferson- 
\'ille, the h'ayette County Creamery and the Masonic Temple Company. 
hVaternallw Mr. Bush is an active Mason and a member of Jefifersonville 
Lodge. I'a>ette Chapter. Fayette Council. Garfield Commandery, Knights 
Templar, and Ro3-al Chapter. Order of the Eastern Star. 



THOMAS I. ENCxLAND. 



The life of Thomas J. l^jigland has l^een filled with some very interest- 
ing experiences. He has tra\'eled extensively throughout the United States 
and has seen much of the world. For many years he has been engaged in 
farming in Madison township. Fayette county, Ohio, owning a fine farm of 
tw.j hundred acres on the White Oak road near Cook Station. He is a man 
of great energy and abilit) and has been very successful as a tiller of the soil, 
ranking with the most progressive farmers of his township. 

Thomas J. England, the son of Lorenzo and Sarah (Darby) England, 
was born May 24, 1851, in Ross county, Ohio, near Chillicothe. His father 
was l)orn and reared in the same count}' and had a family of ten children. 
A. \V., Alice, Demetrius. John. Thomas J., James. Scioto, Eftie, Emma and 
Ella. The last four children are deceased. Lorenzo was the son of John 
England, a native of Philadel])hia, Pennsylvania, and a blacksmith by trade. 

The education of Thomas J. England was received in the schools of 
Ross count^ and when he completed his education he was seized with a 
desire to see the world. The subject's son, Orie, then enlisted in the United 
States na\y and first si:)ent five months on the "Nevada,"' a training ship in 
Norfolk harl)or. A fter completing his training he was assigned to the battle- 
ship "Xorth Carolina"" and served for three years on this ship, during which 
time he saw considerable of the world. 

Mr. I'jigiand was married in :88i to Elizabeth Roer. the daughter of 
Thomas R. and hTancis ( MacLean ) Roer. To this union there have been 
born six children: Charles, John M.. Ore T. and three who died in early 
childhood. Charles married Inez Parrett and has three children, Elloise, 
Thomas K. and Clenn. John M. is manager of the Standard Electric Com- 
pany of Wilmington, Ohio. Ore T., the youngest son. is at home and is now 
managing the home farm. 

iM-ateruallv, Mr. England is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while 
liis son. b)hn M., is a member of the Pree and Accepted Masons and the 



^cg FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Independent Order of Odd l'>llo\vs. The family are consistent members of 
the Presbyterian church in whose welfare they are deeply interested and to 
whose support they are liberal contributors. 



JOSHUA MAHAN. 



The parents of Joshua Aiahan, with whom this narrative deals, came to 
Ross county, Ohio, from Virginia in 1813, bringing with them a family of 
three children, one son and two daughters. Although he is now seventy- 
eight years of age, Mr. Mahan is hale and hearty and can recall many interest- 
ing incidents surrounding his boyhood days. Since locating in Fayette 
county, Mr. Mahan has been very successful and ncnv has a fine estate of 
three hundred acres in Madison townshi]), where he has lived many years. 

Joshua Mahan, the son of Joshua and Sophia ( r>eck) Mahan, was born 
December 18, 1836, in Ross county, Ohio, east of Chillicothe. Mis father 
was a native of Virginia and his mother of Maryland and they came to this 
state and located in l^oss county several years after their marriage. They 
reared a family of tlirce cliildren : Martha, deceased; Harriett, deceased, 
and Joshua. Josliua Mahan. Sr., <lied and his widow later married James 
P). AlcCoy, and to her second marriage was born one daughter, Mary, who is 
now deceased. 

Joshua Mahan was educated in the schools of Ross county, receiving 
his meager education in a rude log school house. At the age of twenty he 
began renting land and shortly after his marriage bought his first land in 
this countv, and to this he added from time to time until he is now the owner 
of about three hundred acres of fine farming land in the county. 

Mr. Mahan was married in Se])tem])er, 1858, to Margaret Plyley, the 
daughter of Joseph and Mary (Baldwin) Plyley, of Ross county, and to this 
union have been born seven children: One who died in infancy; John, de- 
ceased; Spencer, who married Lo Daxis ; Roscoe ; Delia May; Mary Belle, 
deceased, and Hattie Jane, deceased. 

Mr. Mahan has long l)een identified with the Democratic party and was 
elected as county commissioner in 1889. Fraternally, he is a member of the 
Free and Accepted ^Masons and also of the Patrons of Husbandry, belong- 
ing to both lodges at Bloomingburg. He is a man of social cjualities. pleas- 
ing disposition and easily makes friends wherever he goes. He is one of the 
oldest men of his townshi]), and at the same time one of the most active in 
furthering everything which he feels will benefit the community in any way 



AVKTTE COrXTV. OHIO. 459. 



ROBRRT (;. ANDREWS. 



The life history of Rcjbert G. Andrews, one of the well known and 
highly esteemed older residents of Fayette connty, now living in honorable 
retirement after a strennons life given to agricnltnral work, shows what 
good habits, industry and stanch citizenship will accomplish in the battle for 
success in life. His record shows duty well and conscientiously performed 
in every relation of life and as a natural result he holds an enviable place in 
the regard of a \ast number of friends and acquaintances. Over the span 
of his years he has come dowm to the present time from conditions that seem 
to us very remote, and he has noted the wondrous transformation from that 
time to this, playing his part in the drama of civilization. Throughout his 
life he has been an advocate of wholesome living and cleanness in all things 
and has always stood for the highest and best in any community where his 
interests were. 

Robert G. Andrew-s, a retired farmer living quietly at fiis home m 
Bloomingburg, Fayette county, was born on July 29, 1836, in Ross county, 
this state, near the town of Bournville. He is a son of William G. and 
Rebecca (Towaisend) Andrew^s, the former of whom was born in Queen 
Anne county, Maryland, coming to this state as early as T(Sto, where he 
settled near Frankfort on a farm. He was married before he came to this 
state and had his oldest child, Thomas. He had in all a family of twelve 
children, several of whom liave passed into the great beyond. Among these 
are Thomas, the first-born, who is buried near Lafayette Indiana; John. 
wh(^ died in Kansas; George, who is buried in Ross county, and Phoebe and 
t\',(5 infants buried at Frankfort. Nancy, Mary P. and Elizabeth reside at 
Mount Pleasant in Pike count}-, this state, in the cemetery at which place 
both William and his wife lie buried. William and (ieorge are l)uried at 
]^)Ournville in Ross county. 

Robert, the immediate subject, in his earl)' youth attended the schools 
of Ross county, industriously acquiring such information as the schools of 
ihat time and location alTorded. When he was twelve years of age the 
family removed to Pike county, where he finished his school days. In his 
early manhood he returned to Ross count}', where he remained for eight 
years and then came into Fayette county, where he has since made his home. 
Mr. Andrews was twice married, his first wife being Nancy Zickefoose, with 
whom he united in marriage on April 14, 1857. She bore him eleven chil- 
dren, five of whom ^yere born before the outbreak of the Civil War. -So 



^.6o FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

hlled with patriotism was he. however, that at the beginning of hostilities he 
went to I'ike count\- and \'ohinteered in a company which was being made 
np there, i^owever, too many men were enlisted and four of them, all heads 
of families and among them the subject, were returned to their homes. This 
was in iHiu and he remained home until 1864, but on July 30th of that year 
he l)ecame a private in Company K, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Regi- 
ment Ohio X'olunteer Infantry, under Col. Edward C. Mason, and served 
until the close of the war. His regiment was assigned to the Eastern Army 
of the Cumberland and saw some active service, among the engagements 
I)eing the Ijattle of Xaslnille (Tennessee) and other minor skirmishes. 
After the close of the war, he returned to his home in Pike county and his 
wife antl hve children, taking U]) his work as a farmer. He was also a 
cooper l)v trade, working at this vocation at odd times. 

Mr. Andrews has a most interesting family, for besides his eleven chil- 
dren, he has had fiftv-four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. 
His children are as follows: James, his first-born, who first married Susan 
Shoemaker, who bore him fi\e children, Robert, George, Earl and two 
who died in earliest infancy. James married f(jr his second wife Mellie 
Smitii, wlio has borne him f\\c children, Ray, Roscoe, Owen. Mary and May. 
Joseph married h^.lla Stephenson and is the father of five children. Earnest, 
Cora, (irace. Carl and Clarke. There are four grandchildren in that family- 
Tosephine, the subject's oldest daughter, is the wife of E. H. Shumate and 
the mother of five children, ( luy. Fairy and Fannie (twins). Lulu and Ed- 
ward. Josephine is also grandmother to six children. Elizabeth, the wife 
of Charles Owens, is the mother of six children, (ieorge, (denn. Xancy, 
five children, Harvev, .\braham, \^ine, Eva and Ruby. There is one grand- 
Pearl, Maud and Paul. ( ieorge. who married Laura Rowe. is the father of 
five children. Harvew Aliraham. \'ine, Eva and Ruby. There is one grand- 
child in this familv. Lovisa was first married to John Hryan, by whom she 
had two children, Maude and John. Her second husband is U'illiam Clarke 
and bv him she is the mother of four children, Mabel, \>ra. Catherine (de- 
ceased ) and Georgia. John's first wife Nvas Minnie Sorrell. who l)ore him 
three children, Bessie. Robert and Hazel. His second wife was Eva Fisher, 
who is the mother of three children. Frank, Charlotte and Eloise. Claude 
married Cora Casev, who l)ore him two children, Dorris and Dwight. Will- 
iam chose Xellie Ward as his wife and they have two children, Leo and 
Russell. Francis married Iva Irvin and is the mother of three children, 
Donald. Leland and Edgar, deceased. Pearl is the wife of Paul Johnson 
and the mother of six children. Poliert, Edith. Hallie. Armilda Ruth. Eliza- 



FAYETTE COUNTS', OHIO. 46 I 

beth and Nancy Jane. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Andrews mar- 
ried Sarah J. (Taylor) Bloomer, widow of Jefferson Bloomer, and together 
they are passing the later years of life. 

Air. Andrews is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
with which he united in 1867, and much of the well-being of the local society 
is due to his tireless efforts to promote its welfare. He has for many years 
ser\ed both as trustee and steward and gladly gi\es of both time and means to 
further the means of grace. Politically, he is identified with the Republican 
party, although he has never devoted much time in this .manner. His fra- 
ternal affiliation is with the ancient order of l'>ee and Accepted Masons and 
he is also a memljer of Myron Judy Post, (irand Army of the Republic, at 
Bloomingburg. Mr. Andrews had the management of the countv in- 
firmar}- on his hands for five years up to igii, and he most etffcientlv 
performed the duties thus devolving upon him to the satisfaction of all. Mr. 
.Vndrews' home farm of four hundred acres is dexoted to general farming 
and stock raising, the management of \\hich. howe\er, he has largely given 
into other hands. He is known as one of the most successful raisers of 
li\e stock in this section, having given to this line the most painstaking care 
and careful study and well deserves the rei)utation which is his. Mr. An- 
drews has always led a quiet, well-regulated and honest life, which has gained 
for him the respect of a host of admiring friends. To the rearing of his 
fine family he ga\c the best efforts of his life and is well repaid in knowing 
that each in his place is regarded as a most excellent citizen. Because of 
his genuine worth and the success which has crowned his life's efforts, Mr. 
Andrews is eminently entitled to re])resentation in a work of tliis character. 



FRANK McCOY 



Bloomingburg and the surrounding portion of Fayette county are in- 
debted to the McCoy family in a peculiar way, in that that family has for 
three generations furnished the local blaclvsmith and wagon-maker. Frank 
McCoy, the immediate subject and the present family representati\'e in the 
business, is carrying on the business originated many years ago by his grand- 
father, his present location being what was once the most prominent church 
building in Bloomingburg and which is among the oldest buildings of the 
county. While the blacksmith and wagon-maker of todav does a thriving 
business and fills a much-needed place in community life, he is not. perhaps. 



462 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

in a \va\- so important as in earlier days when there were no ready-made 
wagons, farm implements or vehicles of any kind. The McCoy family has, 
therefore, contrihuted its share to the general advancement of this locality 
and eacii representative in the business named with fidelity and j^ersistency 
of purpose has performed well his duty in all the relations of life and while 
advancing his own interests, has not been unmindful of the general welfare 
of his fellow-men. Thus they rightfully deserve an honored place in the 
history of this locality. 

Frank McCoy has been a life-long resident of Bloomingburg. born in 
that thriving city on October 26, 1863, the son of James M. and Eleanor 
(Morrison) McCoy. James also was a native son of Bloomingburg and car- 
ried on the blacksmith Inisiness in the same location as that now occupied by 
the immediate subject. James was the son of Alexander and Maria (Stitt) 
McCoy, the Stitt family being among the earliest pioneers of Fayette county. 
.Mexander McCoy was a native of Virginia who came to this section many 
years ago and opened up the blacksmith and wagon-making business which 
the family has since carried on in the original location. The subject's father, 
James McCoy, deserves special mention in that he was one of the nation's 
faithful citizens who went to tlie front during the dark days of the Civil 
War. At his enlistment he was made captain of Company C, Twentieth 
Regiment Ohio V^olunteer Infantry, and served throughout the unpleasant- 
ness. Directly after receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to this 
section and took up his affairs where he had dropped them at the nation's 
call. He was the father of three children, the subject being the youngest of 
the family. Anna, the eldest of the family, is deceased. She was Mrs. 
lilackmore and the mother of five children, Guy, Roy, Howard, Bess and 
Xeal. Jennie L. resides in Washington, D. C. 

The subject's entire life has been passed in this section and it was in the 
Bloomingburg schools that he received his education. Early in life he was 
filled with ambition to follow his father and grandfather in the familv busi- 
ness and when cjuite young took naturally to the work, receiving from his 
father, however, such special training as he needed. Mr. McCoy has been 
twice married. His first wife was Jennie VVylie, to whom he was married 
in August, 1885, and whose death occurred in April, 1898. Their union was 
blessed with four children, Roy, Wayne, Dorothy and Donald. Mr. McCoy 
was married for the second time in June, 1900, when he led Carrie Casey to 
the hymeneal altar. By tliis union he has become the father of four chil- 
dren, but three of whom are li\ing. These are Gene\-a. Howard. Charles 
and one who died young. 



KAVKTTE COUNTY. OHIO. 463 

Mr. McCoy's political affiliation is with the Republican party. While 
always taking a keen interest in politics, he has never felt inclined to take 
an active part in such matters, nor has he any desire for public office. His 
fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Freemasonry and he takes 
much pleasure in the work of the local organization. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
McCoy arc members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McCoy's relations 
with his fellow men have ever been pleasant, for, of kindly disposition, he is 
easily approached and is obliging and straightforward in all the relations of 
life. 



ALBERT HAINS. 



The ownership of one hundred and seventy-eight acres in hayette county 
insures the owner a very comfortable living. Such a farm is the property 
of Albert Hains, of Madison township, and is his by virtue of his own efforts. 
He started in at the foot of the ladder and has attained his present degree of 
prosperity solely through his own unaided efforts, thereby being entitled to 
additional honor. He has planned his labors in such a way as to bring about 
the best results with the minimum amount of work and has kept his farm in 
a high state of producti\'ity by the scientific crop rotation which he has 
always practiced. The successful farmer of today must understand some- 
thing of the nature of the soil and Mr. Hains keeps well posted on the latest 
literature bearing on all phases of the farmer's work. 

Albert Hains, the son of William F. and Mary J. (Peterson) Hains, 
was born bVbruary 8, 1853, in (ireene county, Ohio, near Xenia. His father 
was born in Virginia and came with his parents to Ohio when he was a lad 
of seven. The family located in Greene county in 181 7 and there William 
F. Hains was reared, and he came to this county in 1854, spending his re- 
maining days here. Ten children were born to William F. Hains and wife: 
Mrs. Serepta Short, Alpheus H., Albert. Austin, bTank, Mrs. Martha B. 
Jefferson, William W., Mary E., Martin and Mrs. Hattie Carpenter. 

The education of Albert Hains was received in the schools of Madison 
and Fayette counties, it being completed at Bloomingburg. At the age of 
twenty-one he began renting land and continued to rent for several years. 
In 1904 he bought his present fine farm of one hundred and seventy-eight 
acres in Madison township on the White Oak pike, about two miles from 
Bloomingburg. Since acquiring this farm he has placed extensive improve- 



464 FAYETTE C()UNTV, OHIO. 

ments upon it and has the satisfaction of having one of the most attractive 
farms in the county. 

Mr. Mains was married in 1883 to Ella Morris, the daughter of Samuel 
and Phoebe (Grove) Morris. To this union has l:)een 1)orn one son. Forrest 
Morris, who is still living with his parents. 

Fraternally, Mr. Hains is a memljer of the Alodern Woodmen of 
America and the Patrons of Husbandry. He and his wife are loyal mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, Mr. Hains has always 
been an ardent Rejuiblican and, while interested in good government, has 
never been a candidate for any public office. He is essentially a self-made 
man and deserves a high place among the representative men of his town- 
ship and county. 



ROY E. BROWN, M. 1). 



Among those who stand as distinguished types of the wcjrld's w(M-kers 
the physician always commands a high place. One oi the men of Washing- 
ton C. H. who has attained distinction as a physician and surgeon is Dr. 
Roy E. Brown, a man of fine intellectual and professional attainments. He 
is devoted to his chosen calling, and has lent honor and (!ignit>- to the medical 
profession, having due regard for the highest standard of professional ethics 
and exhibiting marked skill in the treatment of disease. Not only as a ph\'si- 
cian is he known to the citizens of his county, but as a public-spirited man of 
affairs as well. He is active in all of the various phases of civic life in his 
community and has made a reputation for himself which extends beyond the 
limits of his city and county. 

Dr. Rov E. Brown, the son of Henry H. and Ruth ( Mclntyre) Brown, 
was born in Adams county, Ohio, October 13, 1875. Henry H. Brown was 
born in Ohio, and was a son of William Brown and wife, who in turn were 
natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Adams county. Ohio. William 
Brow^n was a merchant, farmer and politician, filling the offices of treasurer 
and auditor of Adams county for many years. His death occurred in that 
county at an advanced age. He and his wife reared a family of several chil- 
dren : Carey H., James W., Newton, Ronie, Margaret, and Henry, the 
father of Doctor Brown. Henry H. Brown was reared in Adams county, 
Ohio, and has been engaged as a merchant and manufacturer the most of 
his life. He came to Washington C. H. in 1884 and for several years en- 
gaged in the hardware business. In 1895 l""^ assisted in the organization of 




ROY E. BROWN, M. D. 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 465 

the Wonder Mainitactm-iiig- Company, a concern en.gaged in niannfacturin^- 
all kinds of stove supplies. At the present time he is in the insurance busi- 
ness in West Virginia. The parents of Henry H. Brown's wife were natives 
of Ohio and of Scotch descent. They were early settlers in Adams county, 
where they died at an advanced age. Mrs. Henry H. Brown is one of several 
children, the others being Mary, Elizabeth, Pearl, Anna, Ambrose, Herbert, 
Wilbur and Homer. Henry H. Brown and wife are the ])arents of four chil- 
dren : Dr. Rov E.. the immediate subject of this sketch; I)en\-er, who died 
when a child; Ethel died at the age of twehe; Marguerite, the wife of 
h'rank W'olfe. of Columbus, Ohio. 

Dr. Roy E. Brown was reared in Adams count)-, Ohio, and spent part of 
his ])oyhood davs on the farm and the remainder in the village of Wheat. 
He moved with his parents to Georgetown, Ohio, in i<S8j. and attended the 
pul)lic schools of that place until 1884. He then entered the public schools 
of Washington C. H. and graduated from tlie high, school in 1895. l'^)r the 
next three vears he worked in the stove factory at Washington C. H., but, 
alwa\'s ha\ing had a desire to become a jihysician. Iic left the manufactur- 
ing business and enrolled as a student in the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons at Chicago, Illinois. He entered in the fall of t8()8 and gradiuited in the 
si)ring of 1902. I'he \ear tDllowing his graduation he went into the clinics 
in Chicago and then became assistant to Dr. W. M. Harslia. a noted surgeon 
of Chicago, remaining with him until the earl)- part of 1905. In the spring 
of that year he went to ^'ork, Xorth Dakota, as surgeon for the Great North- 
ern Railway Compan\-, remaining there about a year, and in January, 1906, 
permanently located in W^ashington C. H., where he has since practiced. He 
has been. physician of the Children's Home of this county for seven years, 
and has also served as jail physician for three years. He is president of the 
civil service commission and a member of tlie city board of health. That his 
ability is well recognized is shown by the fact that he is the present examining" 
surgeon for the state industrial commission of Ohio, a position of great 
honor and responsibility. He belongs to the Fayette County, the Ohio vState 
and the American Medical Associations, and ket-ps fully abreast of the latest 
advances in medical science. 

Doctor Brown was married November 20, 191 2, to Mary E. l)aker, the 

daughter of Robert and Cornelia (Wilson) Baker. His wife was born in 

Portsmouth, Ohio, while her parents were natives of England. The Baker 

familv lived in Portsmouth for manv vears, where her father died in 1896, 

(30) 



466 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

her mother still snr\iving". Robert Baker and wife were the parents of six 
children : Harriett, Jean, John, Robert and William, besides Mrs. Brown. 

Doctor Brown is a Presbyterian, while his wife holds her membership 
in the Episcopalian chnrch. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 
Politically, he is affiliated with the Democratic party, but the nature of his 
profession pre\ents him from being actively identified in political matters. 
The onl}' official position which he has held in connection with local politics 
is that of township physician, a position which he has held for four years. 
For several years he was a member of the Democratic county central com- 
mittee. l)ul his practice made it necessary for him to retire from acti\c 
pi»litical affairs. 



BENJAMLX FRANKLIN COOK. 

A prominent }oung citizen of Madison township, Fayette county, Ohio, 
is Benjamin Franklin Cook, station agent and telegraph oi)erator at Madison 
Mills and also a merchant of that place. Born and reared in this county, 
he has spent his entire life within its limits, and is known as a young man 
of exemplar}' habits, tireless energy and a man w h( > will always stand for 
the best interests of his communit}'. He has lieen connected with the Balti- 
more & Ohio l-iaihvay Compau}- for twehe years, which is sufficient evidence 
that his work is regarded as satisfactory in every way. 

Benjamin F. Cook, the son of Benjamin ]'. and Fannie J. (Bennett) 
Cook, was born at Cook's Station, Ohio. March _'_\ 1880. His father, who 
was a son of Isaac T. and Flizal)eth ( Lewis) Cook, was born March 14, 
1838, and his mother was born January 18, 1856, the daughter of Levin and 
Susan (Bennett) Lewis. Isaac T. Cook was born March 6, 1797. and died 
April 9, 1873. hdizabeth (Lewis) Cook was born Januar}' 15, 1804, and 
died November 30, 1872. Benjamin Franklin Cook, Sr.. was a graduate of 
Oberlin College, and a man of prominence and influence in his county. He 
was married January 26, .1879, to Fannie J. Bennett, and to this union have 
been born six children: Benjamin F., Jr., Elizabeth, Madge, Scott, Mary 
and James B. Elizabeth married C. E. Hopkins and has two children, 
J'ranklin and Margaret; Madge married T. E. Hughes; Scott married Helen 
Cheue worth and has one son, William B. ; Mary is the wife of Wilbur Horn- 
beck, and has one daughter, Ruth M. ; James B. also is married. 

Benjamin F. Cook. Sr., served through the Civil War as a sergeant in 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 467 

Company H, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated with his 
regiment in many of the hard fought battles in Virginia. He was captured 
by the Confederates at Harper's Ferry in 1862, but was later paroled and re- 
turned home. 

Benjamin F. Cook, Jr., received a good, common school education and 
then entered Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he took 
the commercial and telegraphic course. Immediately after graduating from 
that- school he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railway Com- 
pany as station agent and telegraph operator at Madison Mills, and has been 
stationed at Madison Mills since 1902. In addition to his service with the 
railroad company, he is a partner in the firm of Maddux & Cook, dealers in 
general merchandise in Madison Mills. 

Mr. Cook was married January 28, 1902, to Clara Terry, the daughter 
of Silas and Eliza (Bostwick) Terry, and to this union have been born three 
children, Mary E., Fannie E. and Annette E. 

Politically, Mr. Cook has always given his hearty support to the Repub- 
lican party, but such lias been the nature of his work that he bas never felt 
inclined to take an active part in political matters. Fraternally, he is a mem- 
deputy grand chancellor. He and his family are attendants of the Methodist 
Episco])al church, in whose welfare they are interested and to the support of 
wliicb tbe\' are liberal contributors. 

Mr. Cook is a young man of approachable manner and takes a kindly 
interest in the welfare of his fellow citizens. He has a large circle of friends 
and accjuaintances throughout this section of the county who admire him for 
his man\' good c[ualities. 



THOMAS GLENN McCOY. 

An enterprising and progressive }n3nng farmer of Madison township. 
Fayette county, Ohio, is Thomas Glenn McCoy, a descendant of one of the 
pioneer families of the count}-. It is interesting to know that Mr, McCoy is 
a college-trained man, having taken the classical course at one of the best 
universities in his state. Notwithstanding the fact that he is a college gradu- 
ate, he returned to the farm and is now demonstrating the fact that a college 
educati()n is of real benefit to the farmer. He is a wide reader of all agri- 
cultural literature and keeps in close touch with the latest advances which 
will ])enefit the farmer. As the manager of a four-hundred-acre farm, he 
is ])ro\ing \-er\- successful and the returns which he is recei\ing from his 



468 FAYKTTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

efforts justh- entitle him to inclusion anions- the representative farmers of 
his county. 

Thomas Glenn McCoy, the son of Thomas R. and Sarah (Hockney) 
McCoy, was born October 20, 1886, near Good Hope, Ohio. His father was 
born on the same farm of two hundred and forty acres in Wayne township, 
wliere he is now living. Thomas R. McCoy was the son of Thomas and 
Margaret (Harper) McCoy, natives of A'irginia and early settlers in Fayette 
county, Ohio. In fact, Thomas McCoy, the grandfather of Thomas Glenn 
McCoy, came to this county at the opening of the War of 1812, only two 
years after this county was organized. Thomas Glenn McCoy was one of 
fi\e children born to his parents, the others being Mary Dell, Russell B., 
Oscar, and one who died in infancy. 

Thomas Glenn McCoy received his elementary education in the schools 
of his county and then entered Miami L'ni\ersity, graduating from the 
classical course in that excellent institution. Immediately after tinishing his 
college course, he returned home and assisted his father on the home farm 
until his marriage in igoS. He then assumed the management of the Quinn 
estate in Madison township, and under his efficient direction this farm has 
come to be known as one of the most productive of the county. He is a 
large stock raiser and allows nothing on his farm except the best grade of 
stock, having found b\' experience that it jiays to kee]) only the best. 

Mr. McCov was married December 15. 1908, to Alma C. Harper, the 
daughter of John and Marv (Goen) Harper. Her parents came from Vir- 
ginia and were among the pioneer settlers of this county. John Harper and 
wife reared a famih- of five children, all of whom are still li\ing: Wert, 
Getha, Herbert, Warren, and Alma, the wife of Mr. McCoy. Mr. McCoy 
and his wife have one son, Melvin. 

The Republican part}- receives the hearty support of Mr. McCoy, al- 
though he has not been active in its councils. Nevertheless, he is deeply 
interested in everything pertaining to the civic welfare of his township and 
county. Being one of the best informed men in the county on political ques- 
tions, he is freciuently consulted by the leaders of his ])arty. He lias had no 
political aspirations so far, ha^'ing found that it took all of his time to manage 
his Tarm. Fraternally, he is a member i^f the Knights of Pythias. He and 
his wife are afhliated with the Baptist church. Mr. McCoy is one of the few 
fcirmers of his township and count}- who have a classical education, and yet 
he enjoys his chosen vocation with all of the enthusiasm that the lawyer finds 
in his profession. It is a hopeful sign of the future when our young men 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 469 

come from college and settle down on the farm. The country needs such 
men to add stability to our government and in the years to come the in- 
Huence which Mr. McCoy will bring to bear upon his community will be of 
benefit in every way. He is a worthy scion of a distinguished family and 
his career so far has added additional luxury to an honored family name. 



ROBERT M. PUMMELL. 

Perseverance and sterling worth are almost sure to win conspicuous 
recognition in all lines of endeavor and the gentleman to whom the reader's 
attention is now called is one who is succeeding admirably in his chosen 
field. Robert Pummell, one of the most systematic and up-to-date farmers 
of this section, began his business career when twenty years old by renting 
a tract of land for farming purposes, thus making his beginning right at 
the bottom of the ladder of success. Clearly defined purpose and consecutive 
effort have brought him to his present gratifying degree of success, while 
his undoubted integrity and genuine friendliness have won the esteem of all 
who know him. 

Robert Pummell. who is superintendent and manager of the Humph- 
rey Jones estate of five hundred and ten acres of excellent farming lands, 
was born in Ross county, this state, on May 2, 1875, and is, therefore, one 
of the younger successful men of this section. He is the son of Andrew 
and Zenette (Mercer) Pummell and at the time of the subject's birth the 
family was living near the town of Bainbridge. Andrew, the subject's 
father, was also born in Ross county, where he passed many years, but is 
now a prominent farmer of Mercer county. He was a Union soldier dur- 
ing the Civil War. having enlisted at Sabina, this state. The subject's 
mother is the daughter of William and Mary (Welch) Mercer and was 
born in Ireland. Her parents came here in their earlier lives, bringing 
what children they then had, the balance of them being born in this coun- 
try. In all they were the parents of sixteen children, an unusually large 
family, and Mrs. Andrew Pummell enjoys the distinction of having had 
seven brothers in the Civil War, all of whom returned to their homes after 
the cessation of hostilities. 

The subject is one of a family of ten children, large families seeming 
to predominate with his people. His paternal grandfather was the father 
of thirteen children. The subject's brothers and sisters are as follows : 



470 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Anna, Jennie,' Effie, Harvey, the subject, is the hfth child in order of 
birth, Margaret, Myrtle (deceased), \/Villiam. Carrie and Mabel. Mabel 
has been dead for man>- years and is buried at Sabina. When a boy, 
Mr. Funimell attended the Hulet school in Highland count}- and froih 
his earliest boyhood was instructed by his father most carefully in all that 
goes to make the successful farmer and stock raiser. As above stated, he 
started out in life for himself at the age of twenty years and has met with 
good success from the first, occasionally encountering some reverses, as 
will all business men, but he has ne\-er allowed them to wholly discourage 
him. In managing the work of his present place, he has four men assist- 
ants and a number of good horses. Mr. Pummell considers the raising 
of live stock more lucrative than general farming and for thai rea.^on the 
crops are so planned that there will be enough grain produced to feed the 
largest number of animals possible to maintain on the place. Mr. Pummell 
first came here in 1908 and since that time has come to be considered one 
of the leading men of the community. 

Mr. Pummell was married on November 17, 1895, to Minnie Oliver, 
of Clinton county, daughter of William and Anna (Reynolds) Oliver, and 
to their home have come an interesting famil}' of se\en children. Lora. 
Lula, Homer, Robert and Wesley are attending school, while the youngest 
two, Delbert and Lucy, are still under school age. Into the minds and 
hearts of these children both parents are trying to instill the best principles 
of good citizenship, so that when they come to manhood and womanhood 
the\- may be able to fill useful places in the world. 

Mr. Pummell gi\-es his loyal support to the l\epul)lican part}- and is 
acti\el}- interested in its local affairs. He is the ])resent trustee of his town- 
shij), ha\'ing been elected to the office o\er six other cantlidates. a most 
pleasing trilmte to his po])ularit}- and popular trust and confidence in him. 
His religious membership he holds in the Methodist Episcopal church and 
his life is (ordered in accordance with the teachings of that society. His 
fraternal affiliation is with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights 
of Pythias, Odd h^ellovvs and Modern Woodmen of America, and in the 
work of the difi^erent societies he takes more than a passive interest. All 
considered, Mr. Pummell is trul}' a man among men, generous-hearted, 
broad-minded and of undoubted honor and integrit}-. His infiuence for 
the general uplift of community life is marked and in the elements of; good 
citizenship he is all that a man should be. Because of his genuine worth 
and high personal character he enjoys a well-deserved popularity through- 
out the country. 



FAVl-yrTR COVSTW OHIO. 47 T 



EDWARD AXKXEV PARRETT. 



One of the oldest families in Eayette county is the I'arrett family, who 
have been residents of the connty for more than a century. The Parretts 
came to Eayette county, Ohio, from Tennessee, Joseph J. and Rebecca 
( Eansher) Parrett locating in this county immediately following the close 
of the War of 1812. Mr. Parrett served in the War of 1812, and among 
many other prixations subsisted at one time for three days on a half pint 
of meal. Isaac hansher, the father of Airs. Joseph J. Parrett. served in the 
Revolutionary War. Joseph J. Parrett and wife reared a family of nine 
children, eight sons and one daughter, Isaac, Pleasant. Jackson. Da\id, 
Frederick, Benjamin, Minerva, Russell and George B. Minerva became the 
wife of Jesse Allen. 

George B. Parrett, the youngest of the children born to Joseph Parrett 
and wife, was the father of Edward A. Parrett, with whom this narrative 
deals, and was born in Eayette county, January 19, 1834. Pie grew to man- 
hood in this county, and was married August 21, 1856, to Amelia A. Bush, 
the eldest daughter of Daniel and Mary E. (Webster) Bush, of this comity. 
Mrs. Parrett was born September 10, 1835. The Bush family came from 
North Carolina to Ohio and many of their descendants are still living in this 
county. George B. Parrett was a very prosperous farmer and owned several 
hundred acres of land in Madison to^^•nship. He was an ardent Prohibitionist 
and preached and practiced the same doctrine. He and his wife were loyal 
and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reared 
a family of twelye children: Euphemia; Estaline, born in 1857, married 
Harry S. Crow: Edward Ankney, born in 1858, married Erancies Taylor; 
Ella Gazelle, born in 1850, married Dr. Jasper N. Clark; Elorence Jane, born 
in 1861. married J. B. Harrison; Ada Verell, born in 1863, married Evert 
Harrison: Warren Webster, born in 1864, married Miss Noble; Erie Harlan, 
born in 1866, married Minnie Pucket ; Alice Gertrude, born in 1868: Noyes 
Marvin, born in 1871 ; Dio Ladell. born in 1873; George Clyde, born in 1877; 
Anna Blanche, born in 1881. 

Edward Anknev Parrett, the second cliild born to George B. Parrett and 
wife, was born December 4, 1858, at Parrett Station. Paint township. He 
atended the district schools of his home neighborhood and remained with his 
parents until he reached the age of twenty-one. He then began farming on 
the home farm for himself and two years later was married. He now owns 
a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres one mile north of Madison Mills, 



472 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

his farm being known as the Cherry Dale Stock Farm. He raises large 
crops of grain and gives particular attention to the breeding of Jersey cattle 
and Diiroc hogs. 

Mr. Parrett was married in January, 1881, to Mary F. Taylor, the 
daughter of Philip and Sarah A. (Bennett) Taylor. The Taylors originally 
came from Pennsylvania to Ohio and were early settlers in Fayette county. 
To this marriage have been born five children. Earl, Harvey, Inez, Scott and 
Etura. Earl married Amelia Michael and has two daughters, Helen and 
Ruth; Inez is the wife of Charles England and has three children, Ella L., 
Thomas E. and Parrett; Scott married Euda Beal. 

Politically, Mr. Parrett is a member of the Prohibition party, as was his 
father before him. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias 
and has always been very much interested in the success and welfare of this 
fraternal organization. He and his family are consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and for many years he was a steward in the 
church. 



CHARLES CRUM CREAMER. 

More than a century ago George Creamer, a nati\e of Berkeley county, 
Virginia, came to Fayette county, Ohio, with his four sons, Michael, Joseph, 
David and George. George and Michael, the grandfather of the immediate 
subject of this sketch, were already married when they came to this county. 
The others were married soon after arriving here. Joseph Creamer mar- 
ried Margaret Miller and David married Elizabeth Smith. The Creamer 
familv settled here in 1810 and three years later the War of 1812 opened. 
Immediately after the surrender of General Hull at Detroit in the fall of 
1812. Joseph, Alichael and David responded to the call for volunteers to aid 
in suppressing the anticipated invasion by the British, and served with dis- 
tinction in that second struggle for American independence. During the 
one hundred and four years that this family has been in the county it has 
taken a prominent part in its development, and the descendants of these four 
brothers have played a conspicuous part in bringing Fayette county to its 
present position among the sisterhood of Ohio counties. The father of these 
four sons died in 1825; Michael died in 1840: David in i860; George in 
1 861 and Joseph in 1872. 

Michael Creamer, the grandfather of Charles C, whose history is subse- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 47^ 

quently related, was married in Berkeley county, Virginia, to Mary Gray, 
and came with his brothers to this county in 1810 and located in Sugar Creek 
valley. One of the children of Michael and Mary (Gray) Creamer was 
Christian C. Creamer, who was born August 4, 18 18, in this county. Chris- 
tian C. Creamer was twice married, his first marriage occurring April 9, 1840, 
to Rosanna (iray, and to this union one son, VVesle}' M., a minister of the 
Methodist Protestant church, was born. Mrs. Rosanna Creamer died Janu- 
ary 5, 1843, at the age of twenty-seven. Shortly afterw^ards Christian C. 
Creamer married Elizabeth Higbee, and to this union eleven children were 
born: Mrs. Rose Bradley, Victor, Nelson D., Albert J., Mrs. Emma Moore, 
Mrs. Jennie Parrett, Samuel H., Mary A., Alexis H., George H. and Charles 
C. Three of these children, Victor. Samuel H. and Mary A., are deceased. 

Charles Crum Creamer, the youngest of eleven children born to Chris- 
tian C. Creamer and wife, was born March 5, 1865, on the farm where he is 
now^ living, about three miles south of Jefifersonville. in JeiTerson township. 
He recei\"ed his education in the Creamer school, and finished at a Wash- 
ington C. II. business college. From his earliest boyhood he worked on the 
farm and after his father's death took charge of the farm. He now has 
one hundred and seventy-two acres of finelv improved land, on which he 
raises all the crops of this section of the state. 

Mr. Creamer was married October 3. 1889, to Lizzie R. Nisley, the 
daughter of Joseph and Isabella (Watts) Nisley. Mrs. Creamer's parents 
were l)oth born in Highland county, Ohio, near Carmel. and came to Fayette 
count}' in 1870, locating in Jasper township. Joseph Nisley and wdfe were 
the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: Mrs. Ellen Vince, Albert 
C, Mrs. L. Mary Lynch, J. A., Mrs. Creamer, and Fletcher, who married 
Mayme Browm and has three sons. Herbert, James and Joseph. Mr. and 
Mrs. Creamer have two sons, Hugh and Charles D., both of whom are living 
on their father's farm. Hugh married Lela Wood and has one daughter, 
Martha Pauline ; Charles is still attending the public schools of his township. 

Politically, Mr. Creamer is a Republican and has always taken an in- 
telligent interest in the civic life of his community. Religiousl}-, he and his 
family are loyal members of the Methodist Protestant church and are deeplv 
interested in all church and Sunday school work. Mr. Creamer is a steward 
and trustee of his denomination at the present time. He is a worthv scion 
of the Creamer family and his whole life has been such as to reflect credit 
upon the famih name. 



474 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

DAVID MOCK. : 

No other county in Ohio furnished braver men fur the Civil War tlian 
did Fayette county. More than a quarter of a mihion of Ohio's brave sons 
went to the front and Fayette county contributed its quota without any diffi- 
culty, meeting every call of the governor with a promptness which spoke well 
for the patriotic zeal of her sons. They left their homes to serve their country 
and hundreds of them sacrificed their lives that the Stars and Stripes might 
continue to wave over a united nation. We cannot forget that they" fought 
a brave fight for human liberty and that the\- deserve all the praise which can 
be given them. They are fast answering the last roll call and within a few 
years we can only honor their memory. It seems eminently htting in this 
volume that we set forth the lives of these gallant veterans who are still 
living. Among the brave "boys in blue" who enlisted from Fayette county 
there is none more worthy of an honored place in this volume than David 
Mock, the proprietor of the Oak (irove farm in Jefferson township. 

David Mock, the son of Daniel H. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Mock, was 
born April 15, 1841, on the old Mock farm in Jefferson township. His 
father was born in North Carolina, and came to (ireene county, this state, 
when a small boy with his parents. John Mock and wife. John Mock came 
to Ohio from North Carolina about 1801, settling in Greene county and later 
locating in Fayette county with his family. Daniel H. Mock and wife were 
the parents of five children : Mrs. Diana Bargdill. Eli. David, Mrs. Margaret 
Moon, and A. S., who married Ellen Harper. 

David Mock received a very limited education in the old log school 
house of his home neighborhood and later attended school for a time at Bless- 
ing, Ohio. He remained under the parental roof until the breaking out of 
the Civil War, when he offered his services for the defense of his country. 
He enlisted in Company C, Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
on August 19, 1862, and served in the Army of the Cumberland under Colonel 
Ross and Colonel Yeoman until the close of the war. He participated in the 
battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Franklin, 
Nashville, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Georgia, as well as a large number 
of minor engagements. Mr. Mock served throughout the three years with- 
out being wounded, ill or being compelled to miss a roll call, and returned 
home with his health unimpaired. He remained at home for two years after 
the close of the war and then married and began farming on eighty acres of 
land in Jefferson township. He has added to this farm from year to year 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 475 

and now owns one hundred and sixty-eight acres of fine farming land about 
three miles from JetTersonville, his farm being known as the Oak Grove 
farm. He has substantial and attractive buildings and has always taken pride 
in keeping his farm in an attractive manner. 

Mr. Mock was married September lo. 1867, to Aseneath McKillip, the 
daughter of Tally and Xancy (Walthall) McKillip. 

Mr. Mock is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of E. L. Jones 
Post, (irand Army of the Republic, at Jeffersonville. 



THOMAS H. CLOVER. 

A retired grain merchant of Jeffersonville, Ohio, is Thomas H. Clover, 
who has long been past the allotted three score and ten years of age. As 
a young man he began working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company 
and later engaged in the grain business, which occupation he followed the 
remainder of his active life. He is a man of high character and during a 
long career in the business world, extending over a period of half a cen- 
tury, he managed his affairs in such u wa>- as to win and keep the esteem 
of his fellow citizens. 

Thomas H. Clover was born April 11, 1835. '" Franklin county, 
Ohio, and is the son of William and Sarah (Graham) Clover. His father 
was a native of Pickaway county, this state, and after his marriage moved 
to Franklin county, where he resided during the remainder of his life. 
William Clover and wife reared a family of five children. Elizabeth. Jere- 
miah. Rose. Charles and Thomas H. 

The education of Thomas H. Clover was received in the schools of 
Franklin county, Ohio, and after his marriage he began to work for himself 
as an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He remained 
with this company for several years and then started in as grain merchant, 
buying and selling grain in various towns around Columbus. Ohio. He 
was strictly honest in all of his financial dealings, and earned the high regard 
of all who had any transactions with him or the company with which he 
was connected. Sex'eral years ago he retired from active life and built a 
fine modern home in Jeffersonville. this county, where he is now living. 

Mr. Clover has been twice married, his first marriage being to Lona 
Ogilvie. the daugfiter of Johnson and Margaret (Norman) Ogilvie. She 
died and kft no taiildren. Her father was born in Coshocton, Ohio, and 



4y6 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

late in life moved to Tennessee, where he died at the advanced aj^e of nine- 
ty-five years. Johnson Ogihie and wife reared a family (jf seven children. 
Airs. Clover being the second child born to them. After the death of his 
first wife. Mr. Clover married Martha Brown. 

Politically, Mr. Clover is a Republican and has always taken an active 
interest in the affairs of his party. He has been prominent in all the affairs 
of his town and has given his unreserved support to all public-spirited meas- 
ures. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 



HARLAN T. THOMPSON. 

Among the farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who believe in following 
twentieth-century methods in agriculture is Harlan T. Thompson, of Paint 
township. He comes from a splendid family, one that has alwavs stood 
for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for 
all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Born in this 
county, he has spent his whole career of nearly a half century within its 
limits, and has always so conducted himself as to win the high esteem of 
his fellow citizens. He has never been seized with the roaming desire. 
which has led other Fayette county men to distant fields of endeavor. ])ut 
has devoted his life to agriculture in his native county and has succeeded 
to a marked degree. 

Harlan T. Thompson, proprietor of Ma])lehurst farm in Paint town- 
ship, was born in this county May 14, 1864. His parents. John and Presocie 
(Sheley) Thompson, were natives of this county also. John Thompson, 
the son of James and Rhoda (Boyd) Thompson, was a nati\-e of Pennsyl- 
\ania. and came to Fayette county about 181 5. Consequently the family 
has been identified with the history of this county for nearly a century. John 
Thompson and wife reared a family of nine children. Mrs. Esther Harper, 
Harlan T., Clayton, Mrs. Addie Healy, Charles, Frank, James, Daniel and 
Lovie. Of these children the following are deceased : Esther, Addie, Daniel 
and Lovie. 

Harlan T. Thompson was educated in the schools of Jas])er town- 
ship in the rude log school house built in the woods. All of his life lias been 
spent on the farm, and since reaching the age of twenty-one years he has 
been working for himself. At the age of thirty-fi\-e he liought his first 
farm in L(.)gan county, this state, but later he disjiosed of this farm and bought 



FAVKTTE COl'NTV. OHIO. 477 

his present farm of oik* liumlred acres, two miles west of lUooniin^burj^' on 
the lyjw is pike, and he has a well impro\e(l and highly prodnctix'e farm and 
k( cps well al)reast of the latest advances in agriculture. 

Mr. Thompson was married February 24, 1892. to Etta Hidy, the 
daughter of William and Lucinda (West) Hidy. Mrs. Thomp.son's father 
was a native of this county, being the son of (ieorge and Barbara (Sander- 
son) Hid}'. Eleven children were born to William Hidy and wife: Etta, 
.Albert, Arthur, Care}', h>ank, Hayes, Charles, Harley, Mrs. Gertrude Flax, 
Mrs. Ethel Allen, and Mrs. Elba Smith. All of these children are still living 
except Hayes. 

Mr. Thompson and wife are the parents of three children, Nona, 
Carrie, and Edith, deceased. Fraternally, Mr. Thompson is a member of 
the Patrons of Husbandry, while, religiousl}'. he and his family are loyal 
and consistent meml)ers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



TAMES PERRILL. 



One of the men of Fayette county of a past generation who has long 
since gone to his reward is James Perrill, who lived the life of a farmer 
for many years in Jasper township. He was a man of kindly impulses and 
gentleness of heart and so lixed as to endear himself to a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances, 'ile was scrupnlousl}- honest in all of his deal- 
ings and a man who was sincerely mourned bv e\er}'one who knew him. 
He performed many acts of charity, about which the public knew nothing, 
as he never let his many acts of kindness become known. He was always 
glad to succor those less fortunate than himself, yet in this, as in every- 
thing else, he was unostentatious. Such a man is a blessing to the com- 
numity in which he lives, and thus did Mr. Perrill live and die. 

James Perrill, the son of Hugh and Margaret (Caldwell) Perrill, was 
born in Virginia in 1821, and died in Fayette county on the 22d day of 
November, 1898. He was only a small boy when his father, who w'as a 
millwright in old X'irginia, was drowned. Hugh Perrill and wife reared 
a family of five children, Margaret, Mrs. Mary Brown, John, Nathan and 
James. 

James Perrill was a very small child w'hen his mother moved from Vir- 
ginia to Ohio and located in Highland county. Here he received his educa- 
tion, which was very meager, owing to the limited educational ad\'antages 



478 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

to be found in his county, and when a very young lad began to work for him- 
self. Several years before his marriage he bought his first piece of land 
in Jasper township, starting" in as land owner in 1850. He gradually added 
to his land holdings until at the time of his death he was the owner of 
fourteen hundred acres of fine land in the county and was one of its largest 
land owners. 

James Perrill was married in September, 1862, to Rebecca Cheneworth, 
the daughter of Abraham and Jemina (Blackstone) Cheneworth. Mrs. 
PerrilTs family came from luigland and settled in Berkele}' county. Vir- 
ginia, .\l)raham Cheneworth being tiie son of Thomas and Mary Chene- 
worth. To Thomas and ]\Iar}- Cheneworth were born twelve children, 
Martlia. Sarah, Mary. John. Thomas, Arthur, Richard, William, Elijah, 
Ann, ilannah and Abraliam. Abraham and Rebecca (Kerr) Cheneworth 
were the parents of fourteen children, Mrs. Martha Hackney, \A illiam, 
Jacol), Mrs. Anna Moore. John. Mrs. Susannah Turner, Mrs. Mary Hib- 
bins, Xoah, Mrs. Sarah Moore, Mrs. Hannah Blackstone, Abraham, Mrs. 
Reliecca Talbert, Joel and Gideon. A])raham and Jemina (Blackstone) 
Cheneworth were married in 1835, at the foot of Cooper's Mountain, in 
Ross county, Ohio, and reared a family of thirteen children: John, born 
in iN^Ci; William, born in 1837; .\nna, born in 1838; Rebecca, who is Mr. 
Perrill's wife, born in i8_jo: Elizabetli, deceased; Thomas B., born March 
2S, J844: .Mary, born in "184^); James; Sarah, born in 1851 ; Margaret; 
Gideon, born in 1853; Mrs. Snsan Armsey, born in 1853, and Addie M.. 
born in 1857. 

Mr. and Mrs. Perrill reared a family of seven children; Jesse (died 
in infancy). Jennie, James, John, Mary M., Carrie and (jilbert. Jesse is 
the only one of the family who is deceased ; Jennie married 'John B. Shoop, 
the assistant superintendent of the Clhcago schools, and they have two sons, 
Arnold and Edwin; James married Xaomi Henkle ; John married Grace 
Burnett and has two children, Helen and Eugene ; Carrie is the wife of C. 
W. Beard and has three sons, John P., Boyd and Charles N. ; Gilbert mar- 
ried Anna Slagle and has two sons, James H. and Charles H. 

Mr. Perrill was a strong Republican and alwavs took an acti\e in- 
terest in ])olitical matters. For years he was a school director in Jasper town- 
ship and still later served as trustee of the township. In whatever ofHcial 
capacit} he was found he always did his work faithfully and well, and no 
more conscientious public servant e\er ser\'ed the people of his township 
than did Mr. Perrill. He was a man who was alwaAs busy, vet in the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 479 

midst of his labors he was never too busy to lend a helping hand to anyone 
in distress. He was a man whom everyone trusted, and because of his 
high. character and clean and wholesome life he left a name which will long 
be, rememl)ered bv his friends and accjuaintances and always cherished by 
his familv. 



TACOB A. WISSLER. 



One of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of Fayette county 
is Jacob A. Wissler, of I'aint township. His whole life has been spent on 
the farm w here he is now living and, conseciuently, he is well known in the 
community That he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens is due 
to the clean and wholesome life he has lived and the interest he has always 
manifested in the general welfare of the locality where he has lived so many 
years. Bv good management and well-laid plans he has attained a success 
commensurate with his efforts and has earned the right to be classed with 
the progressive farmers of his township. 

lacob A. Wissler. the son of Simon and Anna (Seychrist) Wissler, 
was born January J, 1876, on his present farm of fifty acres, which lies 
six miles north of lUoomingburg. Simon Wissler, the son of Henry Wissler, 
was born in Lancaster count)-, Pennsylvania, and came to Fayette county 
with his parents in 1856. Eight children were born to Simon Wissler and 
wife: Mrs. Susan Yates, Mrs. Alice Dixon, Mrs. Elmira Watts, Ulysess 
G., Jesse, Jacob A., John, and Clarence. 

Mr. \^'issler was educated in the schools of his home neighborhood and 
remained at home until he was married at the age of twenty. He then rented 
a farm from his father-in-law. Luther Irwin, and, with commendable zeal, 
he and his wife started in to save so that they might have a home of their 
own. Mr. Wissler made all the improvements on part of the old home place 
where he li\es, it being a bare field when he took possession of it. This 
farm is known as Maple Lodge farm. Mr. Wissler has placed some exten- 
si\e impro\cments on the farm since acquiring it and always keeps the 
farm in such a condition as to get the best results from his efforts. He 
has made a spccialt}- of the raising of Duroc hogs and has been very suc- 
cessful in this feature of his farming. 

Mr. Wissler was married on the first day of January, 1896, to Lelia 
Irwin, the tlaughter of Luther and Mary Jane (Jones) Irwin. Mr. Irwin 
is a nati\e of Paint township and is one of the most successful farmers of 



480 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the township. He and his wife have reared a family of five children: 
Lelia, the wife of Mr. Wissler; one who died in infancy; William H., 
deceased: Ethel, the wife of Carl Culbertson; Mary J., the wife of J. A. 
Hill, of Jeffersonville, Ohio. The one son horn to Mr. and Mrs. Wissler 
is decea.sed. 

Fraternally, Mr. Wissler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and he and his wife are both members of the Daughters of Re- 
bekah. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose 
welfare thev have ahvays been greatlv interested. 



WILLIAM JOHNSON SELSOR. 

1\) attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and re- 
spected, even from childhood, deserves special commendation. The late Will- 
iam yohnst)n Selsor was such a man and was honored and well known 
throughout this county as a highly respected and esteemed citizen, not be- 
cause of the vigorcms tr;iining of his special talents, but because of his daily 
life, each (la\- haxing l)een one that was abo\e criticism and ])asse(l upon in 
tlie liglit of true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with liis 
fellow men, he not onl\- made his presence felt, but also gained the good will 
and commendation of both his associates and the general public. He re- 
tained his reputation among men for integrit\' and high character, no matter 
how trving the circumstances, and never losing that dignit}' which is the 
l)irthright of a gentleman. Consequenth' his influence for good in the general 
life of his communit}' was most potent and he will long be missed from the 
various circles in which he mo\'ed and over which his influence was like a 
beneficent ray of sunshine. 

The late William Johnson Selsor was born in Madison county. Ohio. 
August 20. 1834, and died in Fayette county. May 6, 1908. He was one 
of six children born to b^rederick and Mary f Rankin) Selsor wdio grew to 
niaturit}-, the other children being Elizabeth, Margaret, Susanna, John and 
Mary. 

b^rederick Selsor and his wife were nati^'es of \'irginia and' early set- 
tlers in Madison county, Ohio, where they lived until the death of Mrs. 
Selsor, when Frederick Selsor came to Fayette county, and bought a farm in 
Paint township, where he lived until his death at the age of eighty-six, in 
1886, his birth having occurred on the ist day of January, 1800. At the 




WILLIAM J. SELSOR 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 481 

time of his death he was the owner of one thousand acres of land in h'ay- 
ette connt\' and nine hnnch'ed acres in Machson count}-, this state, and was 
proba1)lv the wealthiest farmer of the county. Before his death he dixided 
his large estate among- his children. 

William J. Selsor was reared on his father's farm in Madison county, 
and came with his parents to Fayette county in [862, wdiere he lived until 
his death. Upon reaching his majority he began farming for himself and 
became recognized as one of the most extensive cattle breeders of the coun- 
t\-, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. He exhibited his stock frequently 
at the fairs and was a winner of numerous prizes. From time to time lie 
added to the farm which was given him by his father until at one time he 
(nvned about one thousand acres of land in this country. The farm on which 
he lixed was located on the Danville pike, and here he erected a fine countr\- 
home and other buildings to correspond, making the farm one of the most 
:;ttractive in this section of the state. 

Mr. Selsor was married April 21, 1870, to Electa J. Morris, the daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris, and to this union four daugh- 
ters were born, Idella, lulna Dean, Florence Ethel and Ercell Morris. Idella 
married W. W. Fenner and lives in Washington C. H. Mr. and Mrs. Fenner 
have four children, Edna Lucile. Gladys Dean, William Selsor and Jane 
Louise. Edna Dean died at the age of eighteen, Florence Ethel married Har- 
rison v. Brown and has two children, Mary Elizabeth and William Selsor; 
h^,rcell Morris, deceased, was the wife of b\)rrest \V. Cline and the mother 
of two children, Helen Lucile and Ercell Marie. The i-nother died at tlie 
birth of the last daughter. 

Mrs. Selsor was born in Paint township, near the Madison county line, 
March 13, 1841. She lived in that neighborhood for sixty-seven years and 
for the past six years has lived in Washington C. H. on East Court street. 
Mrs. Selsor's father, Samuel Morris, was l^orn in Clermont county, Ohio, 
and her mother in Jackson county, this state. Samuel Morris and wife were 
early settlers of Fayette county, where they lived all their lives, his death 
occurring in 1868 at the age of sixty-three, and she in 1890, at the age of 
seventy-six years. They reared a family of eight children, Daniel G., Samuel 
R., John E., Electa J., William W., Martin W., Amanda E. and Elma E. 
Samuel Morris was an extensive farmer and sheep grower, and during one 
year of the Civil War he sheared two thousand sheep and sold the wool for a 
dollar a pound. Samuel Morris was the son of John and Elizabeth (Tway) 
Morris, natives of New Jersey and early pioneers of Madison and later 

(31) 



482 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Fayette counties, Ohio, Ixith dyin^ in the latter county. John Morris and 
wife reared a large family of children, William, Cynthia, Calvin. Jane, Eliza- 
beth, Samuel, Letha, Caroline and Sarah. The maternal grandparents of Mr. 
Selsor were William and J'^lizalieth ( Stinson ) Groves, natives of Pennsvl- 
vania and early settlers in Jackson county, where they lived for some years. 
Later they removed to Indiana and located near Warsaw, where they died. 
William Groves and wife were the parents of eight children, Daniel, Me- 
linda, Mary, Lydia, Dorcas, Phoebe, Elizabeth and Eliza. 

Mr. Selsor was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
as was his wife, and in the welfare of their favorite church they were al- 
ways deeply interested. Mr. Selsor hlled a large place in the ranks of the 
enterprising men of his day and generation and the luster of his deeds and 
the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsid- 
erable chapter in the history of the community where he did his work and 
achieved his success. That he did his part nobly and ^^•ell cannot be gain- 
said and though he has passed away he yet speaketh in the work which he 
accomplished and in the many kindlv deeds and wholesome influence which 
not only his friends, but the community as well, will always prize as a 
grateful heritage. 



TARED W. HOWARD. 



The whole career of Jared W. Howard has been spent in Jeffersonville, 
Fayette county, Ohio, where he was born nearly sixty years ago. He has 
been engaged in business in the town of his birth most of this time, although 
he has a fine farm of one hundred acres near Jeffersonville to which he has 
alw^ays given careful attention. As a public spirited citizen he has always 
been deeply interested in e\'erything which pertains to the welfare of his 
comnmnit}' and has given his unreserved support to all enterprises which 
he felt would benefit the locality where he has spent so many years. 

Jared W. Howard, the son of William T. and Elton (Sexton) Howard, 
was born in the town of Jeffersonville on July 22, 1855. His father was 

born in Warren county, Ohio. October 15. 1821, the son of George and 

(Crone) Howard. His mother was born in Rockingham county, Vir- 
ginia, May 22, 1816. The marriage of Williain T. Howard and Elton Sex- 
ton occurred October 30, [841, and to their union were born five children. 
Sexton, Sarepta, Jared W., and two who died in infancy. At the age of 
fourteen William T. Howard went to Vrginia. but returned a vear later 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 483 

and in 1838 located in Washington C H., where he learned the harness- 
maker's trade. In 1840 he permanently settled in Jeffersonville, where he 
lived until his death in 1899. 1" 1850 he went to California with the gold 
seekers, but returned two years later with nothing but his experiences. 

Jared \V. Howard is the only one of the five children born to his 
parents who is now li\ing, the others having passed away more than thirty 
years ago. He received the best education which was afforded by the 
schools of Jeft"ersonville, and early in life started to learn the harness 
trade in his father's shop. He married at the age of nineteen and at once 
began to work in his father's shop and two years later his father turned 
the shop over to him and retired to his farm near the town. He has been 
in business in Jeffersonville since 1876 and at the same time had the manage- 
ment of his farm. He has been very successful and has laid aside a very 
comfortable sum for his declining years. 

Mr. Howard has been twice married. He was married in August, 
1874. to Mary Johnson and to this first union was born one child, Floy S. 
His second marriage was to Anna L. Johnson in October, 1892. She was 
the daughter of Simon B. and Catharine (Maddux) Johnson, of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where Mrs. Howard was reared and educated. 

Politically, Mr. Howard has been a loyal supporter of the principles 
and policies of the Republican party since reaching his majority. He has 
.served as a member of the council of Jeffersonville and has always been 
interested in every measure which was promoted for the benefit of his 
home town. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons 
and the Kniehts of Pvthias. 



ALBERT HAIGLER. 



Nearly half a century ago there was born in a rude log cabin in Paint 
township, Fayette county, Ohio, a lad who was christened by his parents as 
Albert Haigler. They were descended from sturdy pioneers of this country 
and the son has inherited those sterling characteristics which marked his 
worthy ancestors. The rude cabin of his boyhood days has given place 
to a fine home with all the modern conveniences and he is now enjoying 
life to its fullest extent. 

Albert Haigler, the son of Elijah M. and Letitia (Hays) Haigler, was 
born December 23, 1867, on the farm where he is now living. His father 



484 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

was a nati\e of \\>st \'irginia and came to this county when a young" man. 
ilis parents were John and Phoe])e (Skidmore) Haigler. I'^ive children 
were horn to Ehjah Haigler and wife: J()hn W'., Mrs. Julia Kennedy, 
Alhert. Charles E., and Jennie, the wife of Tod Hunter. The father and 
mother were hoth loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
are buried in the cemetery at Bloomingburg. 

The education of Mr. Haigler was received in the Robuck and Rogers 
schools in Paint township. He worked on the farm during the summers 
while in attendance at school during the winter seasons, and has ue\'er left 
the farm where he was born. He has ne\er married and is now li\ing 
with his tenant on his farm. Mr. Haigler gi\es his support to the Re])ulj- 
lican part}', but has ne\er ])een acti\-e in political matters, preferring to gi\-e 
his time and attention to his agricultural interests. Ilis farm of one hun- 
dred and twenty acres is fi\e miles east of Jeffersonville (ju the old State 
road. 



CLIMPSOX 1.. LAbT)LLl':TTE. 

The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a native of France. 
When a young man he came to America and settled in this state about the 
)car iSoo, about two }ears before this portion of the country was ad- 
mitted to the Union. At that time the state was practically a wilderness 
and the Indians were here in large numbers and were still fierce from their 
])articipation in the Revolution on the side of the British. Isaac LaFollette, 
the French emigrant in ((uestion, secured a tract of goxernment land in 
what is now Perr)- county and began to clear off the timber. More than 
once he and his good wife, Libby Secrist, were in imminent peril from the 
sa\'ages and for many years after taking up their abode here they endured 
the liardships and ])ri\ations of the early pioneers. Wild animals were 
frecpiently met with and no little danger was encountered from some of 
them, particularly in the night time, but rapidh' adxancing cixilization in time 
disposed of such annoyances and Isaac lived to see a better day dawn for 
his children. He was the father of John LaFollette. ^yho was born on 
the homestead in Perry county, and John was the father of the immediate 
subject, who was born on July 26, 1865, in Brown township, Vinton county. 
The subject's mother was Martha Craig, a native of that vicinity. C. L. 
LaFollette, who resides on his farm of thirty acres on the Danville pike. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 485 

ahoiu i>nc mile and a lialf from Bloomingburg", was one of a family of six 
children, being the second child of the family. W. E., the oldest, lives in 
Madison township, this connty, while Robert and Hugh are both residents 
of Plaint township. Eliza, the only daughter of the family, is the wife 
of rJoctor ]\'[urphy and resides in Vinton count}', while Charles, the young- 
est of the family, is dead. 

C. L. Lal'ollette in his early boyhood attended the schools of Delaware 
county, later attending those of X'inton county, W'here he finished his school 
days. When ([uite a yoimg boy he began assisting with the work of the 
farm and early kne\A' the meaning of hard work. At the age of twenty 
}ears he began life on his own resi^urces, coming to Fayette count}" where 
he hired out among \-arions farmers, receiving eighteen dollars per month 
for his services. After a few }ears passed in this manner, he purchased the 
farm which is his present home and where he has made all of the improve- 
ments. Air. Lal'ollette has Ijeen twice married. His first wife was Nettie 
Dunlap, with whom he was joined in hoi}' wedlock on February 6, 1889, 
and who was called tf> the higher life in ic>oi. She was an excellent woman, 
much liked and admired b}" friends and neighbors. She was a devout mem- 
ber of the United EJrethreti church, being active in the w'(^rk of her local 
organization, and she was buried in X'inton county, near her home. She was 
the mother of two children, Blanche and Howard, who married Blanche 
l\e^'nolds. Mr. Lab^illette was wedded the second time on March 20, iqo2, 
to I^llen Dunlap. }'ounger sister c^f his first wife, this marriage being with- 
out issue. Mr. Lal'ollette is a man who has worked hard, who possesses 
a commendable degree of energ}- and ambition and is well deserving of the 
success he lias attained. He gives particular attention to the raising of 
li\e stock, which he finds a most lucrati\e line of l)usiness and in which he 
is highly successful. 

\\ bile not a member of an}' church society, ]^Ir. LaFollette is interest- 
ed in the work of all and contributes to the best of his abilitv from time to 
time to \arious deserving benevolences. Politically, he is a stalwart Re- 
publican, although not devoting much time to public issues. However, for 
seven }-ears he has been a member of the school board of Paint township 
and in this and other ways shows the keen interest he feels in the educa- 
tional and other phases of community life. Air. LaFollette has a host of 
warm frientls in all walks of life, wdiich is ample testimonv as to the value 
of bis citizenship and the usefulness of his life. 



486 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

DAVID ALLEN. 

A substantial and progressive farmer of Jefferson township, I''ayette 
county, Ohio, is David Allen, who was born in this township sixty-five 
years ago. He is strictly a self-made man, and by his (.iwn hard labor has seen 
his possessions grow from a paltry ten acres to an extensive farm of three 
hunch-ed and sixty acres. Not only has he gained material prosperity for 
himself and family, but he has also been \'er}- much interested in everything 
pertaining to the welfare of his community. For twenty-five \ears he per- 
formed unselfish service as a member of the school board of his township, 
and in this capacity did e\erything" he could for the benefit of the children 
of his township. He and his wife ha\e reared a family of six children to 
li\-es of usefulness and honor, all of whom are married and are rearing 
families of their o^yn. .\ greater thing than this can no man do. and for 
this reason, if for no other, David Allen should be classed among tire re[)- 
resentati\e men of his townshi]) and countw 

Da\id Allen, the son of luhan and Susan ( Straley ) Allen, was Iiorn 
in ii^49 in the township where he has always lived. His father wa> a nati\e 
of W^est Virginia, a son of .Adam and Nanc\- Allen. Ethan Allen and wife 
reared a famih' of fifteen children. FJizabetb. Xancv, Adam, Jose])h. ("liarles. 
b".li/ca, Har\e\'. Da\ id, James H.. William, ( )r\ille, Arthur, Su<an. Alice, 
and one who died in infancw Adam Allen was in the War of iSij. and 
to him and his wife were born fi\-e children, Aaron, Adam. William, l-lliiali 
and i^than. 

David Allen attended the schools of his home neighborhood and early 
in life began working for himself. He married at the early age of twenty, 
and he and his young wife took a horse, cow and one hog, rented a farm 
and started in to make their fortune. They worked and planned together, 
and as they i)rospered they added to their land holdings until the\' now 
own about three hundred and sixty acres of line land in lefi'erson town- 
ship. To the original ten acres which the\- Ijought was iirst added fort\- 
three acres, then one hundred and tAyent\-se\ en, then fifty-nine, then sixty- 
toi r. and finally, se\'enty-twd. As he has enlarged his land holdings he 
has improved his farm until now he has ])robabl}' one of the largest farms of 
the township, and one of the most attracti\e as well. 

Mr. Allen \yas married in 1869 to Isabel West, the daughter of Edmond 
and Mary (Edge) AVest. Edmond West came from \^irginia and settled 
in JefTerson township, where Mrs. Allen was born. Six children have been 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 487 

horn to Air. and J\'[rs. Allen, all oi whom are married: Kdgar, Oscar, 
C lyde. Rrnest, Lena and Alary. Edgar married I'ertha Coin and has three 
children, A'iahel, Donald and Alarion ; Oscar married Alata Patch and has three 
children. Annahelle, Harold and IHorence ; Clyde married Jennie Janes; 
l'>nest marrietl Ivlith Hanghn and has two children, Lester and Pauline; 
Lena is the wife of .\. W. Lemon and has two daughters, Ruth and Mar- 
jorie; Mary became the wife of ("hester Janes and lias four children. Lucile. 
Carl. Helen and Janice. 

hraternall}-. Air. Allen is a member of the lnde])endent Order of Odd 
Fellows, while he and his wife are members of the Daughters of Rebekah. 
Politically, he is a Republican, and wlu'le ne\er taking an actixe ])art in poli- 
tics, he has always shown his hearty supi:)ort of all measures which he felt 
w( uld benefit his community in anv \\a}-. He has alwa\s stood for clean 
lixing and high thinking and is one of the substantial men of his township. 



JOHN G. CROUCH. 



( )ne of the rei)resentati\e farmers and stock growers of h^ayette count}'. 
Ohio, is John G. Couch, who is known as one of tlie alert, progressi\'e 
and successful agriculturists of this favored section of the P>ucke}'e state. 
In his labors on the farm he has not permitted himself to follow in the 
rut in a blind wa}-, l)ut has studied and experimented and thus secures the 
maximum returns from his efforts. He has so ordered his course at all 
times as to command the confidence and regard of the people of his com- 
munity, being a man of honorable business methods and u])right ])rinciples 
of life. 

John G. Couch, who is now lixing near the town of Bloomingburg". 
in Paint township, was born August T2, 1857. near Bourneville. this state. 
He is a son of John and Margaret (Gregg) Couch, his father being- a 
native of Pennsylvania and an early settler in Ross count}'. Ohio. John 
Couch, Sr., enlisted in Company D. Sexenty-tb.ird Regiment Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, and served two years lie fore dying wnth the typhoid fever in 
Alaryland. He is buried at Frederickstown, in that state. His brother, 
Asa F. Couch, was the captain of the conipany to which John Couch be- 
longed. 

John G. Couch attended the public schools of Pike county. Ohio, and 
also was a student in the Waverl}- high school, in that county, for two years. 



488 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

At the age of t\\cnt\- he began renting land and continued to Hve on rented 
land until i8gg, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and 
ten acres, which is located in Paint, Union and Marion townships. Since 
acquiring this farm he has placed many improvements upon it and has the 
satisfaction of seeing his farm yield handsome returns in response to his 
efforts. 

Mr. Couch was married in April. 1882. to Anna K. Mark, the daughter 
of Alfred H. and Mary (Harris) Mark, and to this union have been born 
four children. Maud, lulna, Harry and ^lartha. Maud married F. E. 
Eichell)erger ; lulna married F.arl Speaks, and has two children, Kenneth 
and juanita; Harrv and Martha are still single and residing with their 
father. Mrs. Couch, the mother of these four children, died June 22, 
1902. 

In politics. Mr. Couch has long been identihed \\ith the Republican 
l)arty, but has never been an aspirant for public ofhce. He is a meml:)er of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, as \\as his wife, and in its welfare he has 
always been very much interested. 



MICHAEL C. CREAMER. 

The true measure of indixidual success is determined b\' what one has 
accomplished. In enumeration of the men of the i)ast generation in h^avette 
county. Ohio, who ha\c succeeded in their s])ccial xocation we find that 
Michael C. Creamer occupies a \er\- im])ortant ])lacc. The s])lendid suc- 
cess which came to him was the direct result of the salient points in his 
character, for with a mind capable of lading judicious plans and a will strong 
enough to carry them into execution, his energy, foresight and persever- 
ance carried him forward lo a position in the front ranks of the success- 
ful men of his community. To accumulate a farm of ele\en hundred acres 
is sufiicient e\idence that he was a man of keen l)usiness abilitv. At the 
time of his death he was one of the largest farmers in the countv, and one 
of the four men v ho owned more than one thousand acres of land. 

The Creamer family has been identified with the historv of b^avette 
count}- for more than one hundred years. The family trace their ancestry 
back to Germany, where George Creamer was born in 1746. His wife, 
Barbara Clover, was also a native of Germany and after their marriage 
in I 774 they came to this country and located in Pennsylvania. Later they 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. .489 

went' to Xiri^inia. and from that state migrated with their four sons. Michael. 
Joseph. David and George, to Fayette county, Ohio. This county was or- 
ganized in 1810 and in the summer of that year George Creamer, the great- 
grandfather of Michael C. Creamer, with whom this narrative deals, ar- 
rived in this county with his four sons, two of whom were already married 
and had families of their own. The two married sons were George and 
Michael, the latter being the grandfather of the present Michael C. Creamer. 
The whole family settled on Sugar creek, in Jefferson township, and in that 
townshi]) the descendants of the famil\- have now been living for more 
than a centur\ . After the surrender of (General Hull at Detroit in 1812. 
Joseph. Michael and Da\id joined the United States regular army and helped 
to drive the British out of. this country. 

One of the several children of Michael Creamer was Simeon, the 
father of Michael C. Creamer. Simeon married Elizabeth Connor and 
reared a famih- of ten children. William, ?^Iichael. Rosanna. George. Polly, 
Jacob. Philip. Christian, Wesle\' and Isaac. 

Michael Connor Creamer, the second of the ten children born to Simeon 
Creamer and wife, was born March 20. 1830. in this county and died April 19, 
191 I, on his homestead in Jefferson tow-nship. He was born in a rude log 
cabin which stood on the site where the present substantial dwelling of the 
Creamer famil\' n(~)\\ stands. As a youth he was very studious and, although 
his education was \er\- limited, vet he was an omnivorous reader and was 
practicall}' self-educated. He started to teach school in his early manhood 
and taught for se\eral years, and during this time he farmed in the summer 
seasons. He finally left the school room and devoted all of his attention 
to his agricultural pursuits and with a success which was indeed remarka- 
ble. 

]\lr. Creamer w^as married October 14. 1862. to Ruhama Scott, the 
daughter of Charles C. and Jane (Porter) Scott, natives of Virginia and 
early settlers in Harding county, Ohio. To this union were born se\'en chil- 
dren : F.thel, deceased: U. Ct.. unmarried, a farmer and stockman: C. P.. 
who farms one hundred acres of the home place: S. C. who married Anna 
Mertz and has two children. Forrest and D wight : Gertrude, who married 
James Coin and has two children, Tully and Pasca. deceased: Celeste, the 
wife of bTank Zimmerman and the mother of three children, Brenton, Fay 
and Ruth; ALaude, the wife of Pewis B. Creamer, and Fthel. deceased. 

Mr. Creamer enlisted for the one-hundred-day ser\ice in the Civil War 
and was nnistcM-cd in a^ a nieml)er of Com])an\- D. One Hundred and Sixt\-- 



490 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 



eighth Regiment Ohio Vohinteer Infantry, on May 2, 1864. He was a mem- 
ber of the Grand Armv of the Repnbhc post at Jeffersonville. while, re- 
Hgiousl)-, he and his famil} were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. .\lthough a quiet and unassuming man. with no ambition for 
public position or leadership, yet Mr. Creamer contributed much to the 
material, civic and moral advancement of his community. His admirable 
qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his 
daily life won for him the admiration, esteem and confidence of the circles 
in which he moved. To him home life was a sacred trust, friendship was 
in\iolable and nothing could swer\'e him from the path of rectitude and 
hoiKjr. 



WILLIAM CLAY BOSTW'ICK. 

Farmer, soldier and public spirited citizen, William Clay Bostwick has 
lived his life of seventy years within this county in such a way as to make 
him one of the most highly respected and honored citizens of the county. 
I'jilisting for service in the Civil War when but a mere youth, he served 
gallantly and well, particii)ating in a large number of the se\crcst engage- 
ments of that memoral)le struggle. Cpon the close of the war he returned 
to peaceful pursuits and bv good management, close economy and strict 
attention to his interests, lie has accumulated an estate of one thousand one 
hundred and se\enteen acres in .Madison township, this making him one of 
the four men in the coiintv who owns more than one thou.sand acres of 
land. The Bostwick family has l)een identified with the history of tJiis 
county for more than a century, and during all of these years the family 
has occupied a prominent ])lace in the \ arious phases of the county's de* 
velopment. 

William Clay Uoslwick, the son of Oliver and Malinda (Thomas) 
IJostwick. was born on the farm where he is now living. May 28, 1844. 
His father was born in this .same township in October, tSi6, and died April 
2C^, 1867. ]\lalinda Thomas was born in Pickawa}' county. Ohio. March 25, 
1816. and died at Mt. Sterling. Ohio, July 14. 1885. Oliver and Malinda 
Bostwick reared a family of eight children : Morton, deceased ; Francis. 
who married Sarah Smith: Annette, the wife of James Jones, deceased: 
b^liza, the wife of S. 1^. Terr}-, deceased: William Clay, whose history is 
here presented: Mehina, the wife of C. H. vStrawbridge : Sarah, deceased. 



1-\v1':ttk cnvsTY. OHIO. 41)1 

who was lie wife ol Charles Miller, and Jane, who was the wile ot Will- 
iam (ireen. 

Olix'er Uoslw ick wa> the son of William and Sallie (Carter) Bost- 
wick, nati\es of Vermont and early settlers in this county, where they reared 
a family of eight children, all of whom are deceased, Adoniram. Sarah. 
Joseph, Frederick (."., William, Lucy Ann, Oliver and Adley. William Bost- 
wick came from X'ermont to Fayette county, Ohio, about 1805. and settled 
on land in the \icinity of ^'ankeetown. William was the son of Joseph Bost- 
wick, a native of \'ermont, who. in turn, w^as a descendant of Arthur Bost- 
wick, tlie first member of the family to come to America. 

William C. Bostwick attended the rude district schools of his neighbor- 
hood, and when eighteen years of age answered the call of his country for 
volunteers and ser\ed for nearly three years at the front. He enlisted .\u- 
gust 13, i8t)2, at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, in Company G, One Hundred and 
Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His regiment, under the 
command of Col. James .\. Wilcox, was attached to the Army of the Cum- 
berland and saw ser\ice in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, C-ieorgia, North 
CarcMina and South Carolina, and finally participated in the Grand Review at 
the nation's capital at the close of the war. .\mong" the battles in which 
this regiment participated may be mentioned the following : Chickamauga, 
Knoxville, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, }'each Tree 
Creek, Jonesboro, Savannah, A\erasl)()ro and Bentomille. Mr. Bostwick 
was with Sherman on bis famous march through Georgia to the sea, and 
thence northw-ard through the Carolinas into Xorth Carolina, lie was finalh- 
discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July (>, 18(^15, lacking but a month of being 
in the service three years. Mr. Bostwick is a loyal member of the J. C. 
Bostwick Post, Grand Army of the Repul:)lic, at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. 

Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Bostwick returned to I'^avette 
county and started farming on a farm of one hundred acres. To this as a 
nucleus he has gradually added to his land holdings until he now owns one 
thousand one hundred and seventeen acres of fine farming land in Madi- 
son township. In the accumulation of this splendid estate Mr. Bostwick 
has found a true helpmate in bis wife, who has ably assisted him and who is 
entitled to a due share of the credit. 

Mr. Bostwick was married November 6, 1873. to Clara Beattv. the 
daughter of Isaac and Margaret ( Hidy) Beatty. of Pickawav county, this 
state. She was born October 22. 1852. and was one of three children, having 
a brother, Scott, and a sister who died in infancv. Mrs. Bostwick's grand- 



492 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

father came to Fayette county, Ohio, from V^irginia in t8i8. James Beatty 
was a soldier in the War of 1812. and about the year 1847 served as associate 
judge of Fa}-ette county. He died in 1879, at an advanced age. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bostwick are the parents of two children, Harley Oscar, born October 
10. 1875, and Oliver Xewton, born May 6, 1880. Harley O. married Maude 
S. A\'elton, and has t^^'o children, Medrith and Welton ; Oliver Newton mar- 
ried Loye A. Julian, and has one daugliter, Willa Jean. 

Politically. Mr. Bostwick has long been identified with the Republican 
party, and while always taking a deep interest in the current issues of the 
day, yet has never l)een an aspirant for public office. He retired from active 
work several years ago. i)ut still maintains his interest in the breeding of 
pure-bred .Shire horses. He is an extensive stockholder, a director and 
vice-president of the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling. Ohio. The man- 
agement of his farm has been entirely turned over to his two sons, Harley 
Oscar and Olixer Newton. 

' In 1884 Mr. Bostwick organized a military companv in Mt. Sterhng, 
of which he was elected captain and served the state in that capacitv for 
more than eight years. 



PlllLlF F. ORTMAN. 

The inxeniion ni the automol)ile and its sul)sequent dcNelopment has 
created sexeral industries in the I'nited States in which there are several 
millions of dollars inxested. When Fdwood Haines displayed his first little 
gasoline motor in the streets of Kokomo in 1801. he probably little realized 
that within the course of a few years the automobile would be the highly 
dexeloped machine it is todaw Automobiles ha\e been built which have 
tra\-eled faster than an\- engine which was e\er ])laced on a railroad track, 
and the makers of automobiles sa\' that the limit has not yet been reached. 
The automobile and its manufacture has given employment to thousands 
of men, while other thousands are engaged in automobile repairing. There 
is scarcely a city of an\- size in the L'nited States but has a garage of some 
]<ind with facilities for the repair of automobiles. Washington C. H. l:)oasts 
(jf one well e(juipped garage and repair shop and Philip F. Ortman, the 
manager of the P. F. Ortman Motor Compan}-, is recognized as one of the 
most expert machinists of this section of the state. 

Philip F. Ortman, the son of Charles Louis and Elizabeth (Yeoman) 
Ortman, was born in Favette county, Ohio, March 21, 1868. His father 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 493 

was born in Prussia. Germany, and came to this country when a young 
man. settHng first in Ross county, Ohio, and later in, Fayette county. After 
coming to this country he married EHzabeth Yeoman, who was born in 
this county, she being his second wife. His first wife was a Miss Compton, 
and to his first union four children \\ere born. George, John, Albert and 
Charles. To the second union there were four children born also: Enos, 
a farmer of Union township, this county; Am)-, the wife of Al. L. Johnson, 
of Columbus, Ohio; Philip F., with whom this history deals, and Mil- 
ton C. of Washington C. H. Charles Fouis Ortman was a soldier in the 
regular army in (iermany and served three years, as was required by the 
law of that country. He died in i^"a}^ette count}- in 1875, being about sixty 
years of age at the time of his death. The parents of his second wife. 
Elizabeth Yeoman, were Enos and Amy ( Baughn ) Yeoman, natives of 
Fayette county. Enos ^'eoman and wife were the parents of thirteen chil- 
dren, Elizabeth. Lucy, Bethiah. Sarah, .\llen J., Walter. Milton. Xewton. 
Albert and four who died in early childhood. 

Philip V. Ortman was reared in b'ayette and Ross counties. Ohio, on 
the farm and received a good common school education in the publi'<?) 
schools and remained with his parents until he was grown, i le then opened 
a general repair shop in Lattisville. Ohio, and a year later moved to Fayette 
county, where h.e opened a shop in Fber. and li\ed there for several years. 
In igo8 he came to Washington C. H. and opened the first automobile 
agency in the city, since when he has sold several hundred machines in the 
cit}' and the surrounding community, handling seyeral different kinds of 
automobiles. He also has a large garage and a machine shop equipped 
with all the latest and most approx'ed machinery for any kind of automobile 
repairing. Being an expert mechanic it was easy for him to become ac- 
quainted with the mechanism of the automobile, and he has built up a rep- 
utation as an expert in this new line of lousiness. 

Mr. Ortman was married .August if). 1891. to X'ianna Da\'is, the 

daughter of Ira and (Bryan) Davis, and to this union has been 

born one daughter. Leia Grace. Mrs. Ortman is a nati\e of this county, 
as were her parents. Her mother died several years ago and her father is 
still lix'ing in this countw Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of several 
children, Amaljah. X'ianna and several wdio died in childhood. 

Fraternally, Mr. Ortman is a member of Confidence Lodge No. 265, 
Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is not afifiliated with any particular 
party, but casts his vote, especially in local elections, for the best men, and 



494 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

not because the}' happen to 1)e on some party ticket While h'vinLi in I'nion 
township, in this connty, he served as school director, hlHng that position 
in an acceptable manner for fifteen years. He is a popular business man and 
as manager of and stockholder in the P. F. Ortman Motor Company, has 
l)uilt u]) a business which is second to none in the count)'. He has a large 
acquaintance throughout the county and is w^ll known and highly esteemed 
as a reliable and straightforward business man and good citizen. 



DAVID H. WTSSLER. 



The fifty years which David H. Wissler has spent in Paint townsbi[), 
Payette county, Ohio, has given his neighbors a chance to know him in exery 
phase of his character, and that they respect him and hold him in high re- 
gard is due to the fact that he has led a life free from blame and censure. 
He is one of the successful farmers of his township, and has succeeded in 
his chosen \'ocation through his ow'n courage, persistency and good manage- 
ment. He is a man who believes in lending what aid he can to his neigh- 
bors and to the general public, while at the same time ad^'ancing his in- 
dividual interests. He has always been identified with the civic life of his 
community, giving his fellow citizens conscientious and efticient service. 

David H. Wissler. the son of Christian and Pliza (Core) Wissler, was 
born January lo, 1864. on the farm where he is now living, about six miles 
from Bloonungburg. His farm of one hundred sixty-one acres, known as 
the Spring Brook farm, is on the Danville pike and is one of the most at- 
tractive farms of the township. Plis father. Christian Wissler, was the son 
of Henry and Susan (Neff) W^issler, both father and son being born in 
I-ancaster countv, Pennsylvania. Christian Wissler located in Madison 
county, this state, in 1855. In 1856 Henr}' AVissler came to Ohio and he and 
his son. Christian, both came to Fayette county and bought farms in Paint 
township. Christian Wissler and wdfe reared a family of five children. 
Charles, David H., Mrs. E>'elvn Hosier, Emma and Howard, the last two 
named l)eing deceased. 

I )a\ id 11. \\'issler attended the W^issler school in his home township, 
and then spent three years, 1881-4, in the National Normal University at 
Lel)anon, ( )hio, where he took the commercial and ch'W engineering courses. 
After the death of liis mother, in 1886, he returned l^iome and took over 
the management of the paternal estate, and at the death of his father, in 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 495 

1907. he inherited the old homestead. He has ne\er married and has 
always devoted himself to farmini; and stock raising, paying particular at- 
tention to the hreeding of Shorthorn cattle and Berkshire hogs. His brother, 
Howard, wlio is now deceased, ^\as educated at Ada, Ohio, and married 
Catherine Kellough, lea\ing his widow with two children. Wayne and Grace, 
who are attending school at Rloomingburg. 

Mr. W'issler is a l\e])ul)lican in politics, and has been one of his party's 
leaders for many )ears. He is a man of high character, and enjoys to a 
marked degree the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been 
associated. A man of liroad education, he is deeply interested in everything 
pertaining to the advancement of the community, and for years has been 
recognized as one of the progressive and representative men of his town- 
ship an.d county. He is a man whom to know is to respect and admire, because 
of his sterling qualities of character and upright life. 



ELMER McCOY. 



From the earliest ages agriculture has been an honored vocation and 
men of lionorahle and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and 
thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free, out-door life of the farm 
has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind 
and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood, and no greater bless- 
ing can befall a \'outh than to be reared on the farm. One of the most pros- 
perous of the A'ounger farmers of FaAette county is Elmer McCoy, who is 
now managing the McCoy estate of one hundred and seventy acres on the 
Hayes road about three and one-half miles from Bloomingburg. 

Elmer McCoy, the son of James R. and Martha J. ( Hays) McCoy, 
was born Jul}- lO, 1884, in Paint townshi]), three and one-half miles west of 
Bloomingburg, on the farm where he now resides. James R. McCoy was 
married Noveml^er 4. 1880, {n Martlia J. Hays, and to this union were born 
two children, Elmer, and Laura, the wife of James Collett. 

Elmer ^IcCo}' attended the district school of his home neighborhood 
for the first three years of his school life, finishing his education in the 
Bloomingburg school, graduating from the high school at that place. At 
the age of twenty-one he l)egan the management of the McCoy estate and 
has been successfully o])erating tliis farm ever since. This is one of the 
best improved and most highly productive farms of the county and. under 



496 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the skillful management of Air. McCoy, is bringing good returns each year. 
He raises a large amount of live stock, giving particular attention to the 
cattle industry and the raising of Duroc-Jersey swine, in which he has been 
very successful. 

Mr. McCoy was married June j6. 1907. to Forest M. McCoy, the 
daughter of Allison antl b^-ancenia (Bonham) AlcCoy. Although his wife 
has the same family name, they are no relation. To this union has been born 
one child. Aimer Lynn, who is deceased. 

Fraternally, Mr. McCoy l)elongs to the Knights of P\-thias. while, po- 
litically, he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, but his extensive 
agricultural interests have prevented him from being activelv identified with 
iiis party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
as are all the members of the McCoy family. Thev are prominent in 
church work and deeply interested in everything which pertains to its wel- 
fare. Mr. McCoy is still a young man and the success which he has at- 
tained thus far indicates that he will l:)ecome one of the substantial men of 
his countv in the course of time. 



WALLACE CREAMER. 

To attain the age of ninety-five is an unusual thing and \et Wallace 
Creamer reached that remarkable age on the i6th day of .\pril, 19 14. He 
was a babe in arms when James Monroe was President of the United 
States, voted for William Henry Harrison in the fall of 1840 and had been 
married twenty years when the battle of Gettysburg was fought. The 
Creamer family w^as one of the first to settle in this county and its members 
have been prominently identified with its historv for more than a hundred 
years. 

Wallace Creamer was born on the farm where he is now^ living and has 
spent all of his life in Jefferson township. He is the son of David and 
Elizabeth ( Smith) Creamer, natives of Berkeley county, \'irginia, and 
early settlers of Fayette county, Ohio. David Creamer was a soldier of the 
War of 1812 and was living in this countv at the time the war opened. 
David Creamer was the son of George Creamer, who was the first of the 
family to come from Virginia to this county. George Creamer had a fam- 
ily of six children, Michael, George. Joseph, David, Mrs. Rosana Christy 
and one who died in infancy. David Creamer and wife were the parents 




WALLACE CREAMER 



FAYETTE COl'XTN', OHIO. 497 

of eight children, Saraii, Wallace. Jaxon, Naiicv. Cynthia. Caroline. Kate 
and Washington. i)a\id Creamer took an important part in the early history 
of this county and served as surveyor of the county for man}' years. 

Wallace Creamer went to the Creamer school, a little log cabin in the 
woods, and learned to read, write and cipher in the manner of all the hoys 
of that time. He is the only living person who attended this school and 
can relate many interesting stories of his school ho)" days. Phe home farm 
was largely in woods and his first labor found him swinging the axe, burn- 
ing logs, splitting rails anrl doing all of that hea\y work which was the lot 
of the pioneers of this county. 

Mr. Creamer was married in 1843 ^o I'^lizabeth Cray and consequently 
has been married more than seventy-one years. He started in with a farm 
of one hundred acres, all of which was covered with woods, and now has 
a linely cultivated farm of two hundred and fifty acres acres in Jefiferson 
township. He has li\ed to see farming methods completely re\olutionized 
and as new machinery has come into use he has added it to his equipment, 
and to the end of his active life was fully abreast of the times along agri- 
cultural lines. 

Air. Creamer voted for the Whig candidates from 1840 until the or- 
ganization of the Republican party in 1854, and has since cast his vote for 
the part^^ which elected J^incoln in ]86o. He has been a life-long member 
of the Methodist Protestant church and interested in its welfare. It is no 
small honor to be know n as the oldest man in his county, and when to this 
is added the fact that his life has been one of usefulness and honor it can 
readily be seen why Mr. Oeamer is called "The (irand Old Man of Fay- 
ette County." 



GEORGE ELBA ZIMMERMAN. 

To make a success of agriculture it is necessary to be something more 
than merely a hard worker. In these days when modern machinery has 
made it possible for the farmer to dispense with laborious efforts in order 
to get a good crop there is demanded a technical knowledge which it was not 
considered necessary to know fifty years ago. There are fields in Eayette 
county which fifty years ago would even produce twice as much corn as 
the same fiekls \\ill yield today for the reason that the soil has lost much 
of its former fertility. Continuous cropping, without proper rotation of 
(32) 



498 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

crops or. scientific fertilizing, has depleted the plant food in the soil. The 
wise farmer of todav realizes that a knowledg-e of tlie constituent elements 
of the soil is neccssar\ if he wishes to secure the maximum results from his 
efforts. ( )ne of the progressixe farmers of Fayette county who keeps 
well ahreast of the latest achances in agriculture is George E. Zimmer- 
man, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson township. 

George I'^lha Zimmerman was l)orn April 1 J, 1869, in Greene county, 
Ohio, and is the son of I'detcher and Lucy (Freddy) Zimmerman. His 
father was ])orn in tliis conntx and was a son of Ohadiah Zimmerman, a 
native of Virginia and an early settler in Union township, this county. 
Fletclier Zimmerman and wife were the parents of eleven children, Al\in 
B., Osman T., Frank R., drustin, George Elha, Dean, John, Mrs. Anna 
Ellis, Samuel, Mrs. Flora Haas and Mrs. Editli Xeal. Fletcher Zimmerman 
is still h\ing and is the owner of about two hundred acres of land, part of 
which lies in Fayette county. 

George E. Zimmerman attended the Hargroxe school in Jefferson town- 
ship and later went to the Futtrell school, where he completed his educa- 
tion. Fie remained at liome until he was twenty-one years of age and be- 
gan farming on the shares, after which he rented a farm cU' one hundred 
and fifty acres, on which he li\ed for three years, when he bought his 
present farm of one hundred and sixt)' acres al)out three and one-half miles 
north of Jefferson\il]e. His farm, known as the l\)plar farm, is one of 
the most attracti\e in the count}- and he has alwa\s taken great pride in 
keeping it in good rei)air. He is an extensixe raiser of 1 )uroc hogs and 
high grade cattle and deriAes the major portion of his income from the sale 
of his li\e stock. Mr. Zimmerman was married December 27, 1893, to 
Maude Ferkins. the daugliter of Absalom and Jennie (Hitchcock) (Gor- 
don. Mrs. Zimmerman's mother died when she was fifteen months old and 
she was then ado])ted I)y Daxid and Elizabeth (Ervin) Ferkins and b}- them 
reared to womanhood. Haxid was born in Washington county, Ohio, and 
is a son of Samuel Ferkins and is living with the subject. Xine children 
were born to Samuel Ferkins and wife: Weston, Willard, Mrs. Matilda 
Durken, Walter, David. Mrs. Sarah Thomas, Mrs. Columbia Ervin. Ivsther 
and Abbie. All of these children are deceased except Matilda and Colum- 
bia. 

Mr. Zimmerman and his wife are the parents of five children, Harold 
W., Donald R., Amos V.. Ala L. and Theron A. Harold is a graduate of 
the |effers<nni]le high school, while the other four children are still students 



FAYE.TTE COUNTY, OHIO. 499 

in :the common schools. Their parents are tirm believers in the great value 
of a good education, and the}- are giving their children the benefit of the 
best educational training that can be had in the county. The family are all 
loyal members of the Christian church, in whose welfare they are interested 
and to whose support the)- are liberal contributors. Fraternall}-, Mr. Zim- 
merman is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Genial and unassuming 
in manner, he easily wins friends and always retains them because of his 
high personal qualities. 



PEkR^' C. MOWKRY. 



The career of an}- man who wins a definite goal in life always presents 
certain features which should be of interest to the rising generation. The 
farmer who starts in with seventy-seven and one-half acres and accumulates 
enough to make a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres, as has Perry C. 
Mowerv. of Paint townshij), this county, deserves a great deal of credit. In 
these days a man cannot li\-e the life of a hermit, Init must be a part of the 
community in which he hxes ; therefore, the most valuable citizens to an}- 
communitv are the men who not only are able to manage their own affairs 
sutxessfulh , but also to take an intelligent part in the affairs of the com- 
munitv. Mr. Mowerv has not only lieen successful in his own pri\-ate affairs, 
but has. when c;Uled upon l)v his fellow citizens, contributed his share to the 
welfare of the communit} in v hicli he resides. 

I'errv C. ]\b)\\er\-, the son of John and Margaret E. (Smith) ]\lowery, 
was born ( )ctol)er 7. 1 SfhX, in Jeff'erson townshi]). b^ayette count}', Ohio. His 
father was a nati\e of Pendleton county, \'irginia, and when a young man 
came to l-'ayette countv, Ohio, and worked ui)on farms in Jeff'erson town- 
ship for some time. He worked for the Ilaigler and Parrett families and 
shortlx- after coming to the count}- married and located in Jeff'erson town- 
ship, where he accpiired a very comfortable farm. Six children were born to 
John Mowerv and wife: Perry C, Albert R., Seymour, Bertha, Minnie M. 
and Myrta M. 

Th.e education of Mr. Mower^- was recei\ed in the llidy district school 
and was confined to a few months during the winters of his boyhood da}s. 
At the age of twent\--one he began working out l)y the month, and upon his 
marriage, at tlie age of twenty-four years, his wife inherited seventy-seven 
and one-half acres of his present farm. To this he lias since added an equal 
amount, so that he has one hundred and fifty-five acres of excellent fanning 



500 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

land in Paint t()^^nshi]). He has divided his attention between the raising 
of crops and h\e stock in such a manner as to secure the maximum results 
from his efforts. Being a man of progressi\e ideas and good management, 
he has had the satisfaction of realizing a handsome income from his farm 
each year. 

Mr. Mowery was married August 4, 1892, to Dollie A. (Brock) Allen, 
the widow of Coleman Allen and the daughter of Evan and Susanna (Grif- 
fith) Brock. By her first marriage Mrs. Mowery had one son. Leonard. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Mowery have been born five children, Ruth A., Russell W., 
Lawrence A., Dorothy M. and J. Delbert. 

Fraternally, Mr. Mowery is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
I'ellows and the Knights of Pythias, while, politicall}-, he is a member of the 
Democratic party. While interested in all the great issues of the day, he 
has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to de\ute his time 
and energies to his farming interests. In the course of an honora]>le career 
he has been successful in the lines to which his efforts have been directed 
and such has been his clean and wholesome life in this county that he has won 
the esteem and respect of all who know him, and he is regarded by all as one 
of the substantial and i)rogressive citizens of liis communit}'. 



ULYSSES GRANT WISSLER. 

The modern system of agriculture demands that farmers be as scien- 
tificall}- trained as are the physicians of the country. It has l)een proven 
that the n.ian with the college education who is trained in the best agri- 
cultural schools of our country has all the ad\antage over the farmer who 
lack^ this training. There are many factors of efficienc\- in farming which 
are total!}' unknown to the untrained farmer and for this reason there are 
thousands of farmers in Ohio toda}- who are just a1>le to make a bare 
h\ ing. There are two conditions which make farming \'ery profitable with- 
out di\ersity of enterprises. One of these conditions arises when in any 
coinnmnity a particular farm enterprise is for any reason exceedingly profit- 
able. For example there is one section in northwestern Iowa where more 
popcorn is raised than any other ])lace in the world. As long as this con- 
dition ktsts the greatest profit may l)e made by sticking to this one enter- 
prise, even if it leaves the farmer and his working force idle for a con- 
siderable portion of the year. The other condition under which farming 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 5OI 

may be quite profitable without diversity of enterprises is that under which 
a single farm enterprise permits a large acreage of crops and gives good 
seasonal distribution of labor. This is the case with the wheat culture as 
conducted in the Northwest. However, single-crop system of farming is 
also exposed to the danger which inheres in any farm business based on a 
single enterprise, namely, fluctuation in prices and danger from loss because 
of untimely weather conditions. Diversified farming is, therefore, safer 
than farming based on a very small number of enterprises and, under most 
conditions, is more profitable. It is diversified farming that has placed 
Fayette county, Ohio, where it is today. 

Ulysses Grant Wissler, a farmer and stock raiser of Paint township, 
this county, was born on the farm where he is now living, September lo, 
1866. He is a son of Simon and Anna (Sechrist) Wissler, who reared 
a family of eight children : Mrs. Susan Yates, Mrs. Alice Dixon, Mrs. 
Elmira Watts, Ulysses Grant, Jesse, Albertus, John and Clarence. Simon 
Wissler is a son of Henry and Susan (Neff) Wissler and was born in Lan- 
caster county, Pennsylvania, coming to Fayette county, Ohio, when he was 
twenty-one years of age. He remained in this county one year and then 
returned to Lancaster county, in his native state, and brought back his 
father and mother with him. Henry Wissler became one of the largest 
land owners in Fayette county and from the time of his arrival in this 
county, in 1853, until his death he was prominently identified with the 
history of the county. At the time of his death he was the owner of one 
thousand acres of fine farming land. Henry and Susan (Neff) Wissler 
were the parents of seven children. Christian, Mrs. Mary Anderson. Henry, 
Simon, Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett, Elias and one who died in infancy. 

Ulysses G. Wissler received his education in the schools of his home 
township and spent his boyhood vacations assisting his father on the home 
farm. At the age of twenty-one he began working by the month and a 
year later went to Cass county, Missouri, where he lived for twelve years. 
He was married while living in the West and settled on a farm in Cass 
county, Missouri, where he lived until 1901. He and his wife then took a 
long trip throughout the Northwest, where he went for his health, and fol- 
lowed this with a trip through the Southwest. He then returned to Fayette 
county, Ohio, and located on the farm where he is now living. He has 
been uniformly successful in all of his farming operations since locating 
in this county, and by a system of properly supervised diversified farming 
has made his farm highly remunerative. 



502 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mr. Wissler was married January 14, 1891, to Nettie Watts, the 
(laughter of Henry and Martha (Parks) Watts, natives of Kentucky. Henry 
Watts was Ijorn in Warren county, Kentucky, as was his wife, and they 
ii\ed there until after the death of Mrs. Watts, at which time Henry Watts 
and his children moved to Missouri, where he married again. To the hrst 
marriage of Henrv Watts were born six children: Basis, of Kansas: Blanche, 
of Calif(jrnia: Jennie, of Kansas; X'ernon, of Alaska: Nettie, the wife of 
Mr. Wissler, and liriggs, of Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Wissler have oi>e daugh- 
ter living, Edith Ann. the wife of Ernest Garrison. 



CAREY GEORGJ-: l'ARRI{TT. 

A successful farmer and stock raiser of Paint township is Carey (i. 
I^arrett, whose ancestors have been identified with the hist()ry of I'^ayette 
county for more than a century. The Parrett family came to this county 
shortly after its organization in 1810 and its \arious memliers have filled 
man}- positions of trust and honor in the county. They have been people 
of high ideals and straightforw-ard methods and ha\e risen to places where 
thev ha\e been the leaders in their respecti\e communities. 

Carev George Parrett. the son of T. I', and .Mary (Greenlee) Parrett. 
was born in bXvette county. July 5. 1871. His father, the son of Ge(jrge 
Parrett, was born in this county and was twice married. His first wife was 
Mar^• (ireenlee and to this marriage were born three children, Prank. I'^antie 
and Care\- George. The second w'lie of T. \\ Parrett \\as Mar}- Belle Coff- 
man and to this union there were 1)orn three children: Thomas, deceased; 
Harrv C., \\ho married Madge Anderson: Louis. \\ho married Hazel Sol- 
lars. 

The clementar}- education of Care}' (i. Parrett was received in tlie district 
schtols of his home township and his high sclunjl training in the schools of 
Washington C. H. lie assisted his father, who was a large land owner, on 
the farm during the summer ^•acations aud thus gained an intimate knowl- 
edge of the ^•arious phases of agriculture 1)}' the time he was old enough to 
begin farming for himself. L'pon reaching his majorit}- he started in as 
a renter anc! is now one of the largest renters of the count}'. He owns a 
farm of one hundred and six acres on the i'rairie pike and rents five hun- 
dred acres in addition. He recentl}' ])ought eight}'-se\'en acres in Paini 
township near ljloonnng'l.)urg and will move there soon. He has one of the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 503 

most prockictixe farms in the C()unt\" and is a large stock raiser, handling 
several car loads of stock for the market e\ery year. 

Mr. Parrett was married March lo, i(S(j(). to I'ora I lays, the daughter 
of James and Mary K. (Armstrong) Hays. Air. Hays was horn in Paint 
township and was the son of John and Catherine ( Wihright) Hays. Mr. 
Parrett and his wife have two children, Thomas H. and Mary Mildred. 
hoth of whom are in the schools of Bloomingburg. 

The Republican party has claimed the support of Mr. Parrett and he 
has always taken an intelligent interest in its success. At the present time 
he is ser\'ing as road su])er\is()r in his township and hlling the office to 
the entire satisfaction (^f all those concerned. Fraternally, he is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias at Bloomingburg. Mr. P'arrett is a man of strong 
convictions and hy his straightforward and upright life has gained the 
high esteem of all with whom he has been associated. 



JESSE P. KELLOUGH. 



Poets often tell tlie truth and the old song which contains the refrain, 
"The farmer feeds them all," states a very fundamental and economic 
truth. The products raised on the farm are the sources of the world's 
food suppl}-, and should the farmer cease his work for a }ear the whole 
\\orld would starxe to death. E\er\- other occupation might be done away 
with hut farming and peoi)le could live, but a total cessation of farming 
for a short time would actualh- depopulate the world. A man can live 
without jjanks all his life, but deprixe him of his bread and his career is 
soon ended. harming is becoming an honored profession. Our district 
schools are teaching it as a science, and our colleges are granting degrees 
for agricultural work. Farmers of any community sustain the people de- 
])endent on the workers of any other ])rofession. Without the farmer the 
banker would close his doors, the manufacturer would shut down his factory 
and the railroads would suspend operation, .\mong the progressive farmers 
of Fayette count}-, i )hio, \\ ho are helping to keep the banker, the manu- 
facturer and the railroads there is no one more worthy of mention than 
Jesse B. Kellough, the proprietor of the Valley View farm of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres in Paint township. 

Jesse P. Kellough, the son of John W. and Senith (Poole) Kellough, 
was liorn .\pril 16, 1874, in Madison county, Ohio. His father is the 



504 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

son of John W. and Rebecca (Pummell) Kellough, and was bom on the 
Wabash river near Logansport, Indiana, July 5, 1839. John W. Kellough, 
Jr., lived in Indiana two years and then removed with his parents to Ohio, 
where the famih- first located near Chillicothe. Here he grew to manhood, 
married and lived for several years. In 1872 John VV. Kellough came to 
Fayette county, where he is still living. Ten children have been born to 
John W. and Senith (Poole) Kellough: Mayme, Charles C, Nellie B., 
Anna W., Sallie C, William S., Claude H., Jesse P., Catherine and Robert 
VV. Three of these children, Sallie C, William S. and Claude H., are de- 
ceased. John W. Kellough is still living at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and his wife 
died August 29, 191 3. 

Jesse P. Kellough was educated in three different states, Ohio, Illi- 
nois and Iowa. He attended school for a time in Fayette county, Ohio, and 
spent one year in Piatt county, Illinois, and one year in schools of Cerro 
Gordo county, Iowa, near Mason City. After completing his education 
he returned to F^ayette county, Ohio, and at the age of twenty-five began 
renting land in Clark county, near South Charleston, but only remained 
in that county a year, and then located in Paint township on a small farm of 
fifteen acres. That he has prospered is shown by the fact that he has added 
to this small acreage until now he is the owner of three hundred and twenty 
acres of excellent farming land in Paint township. He has placed ex- 
tensive improvements upon his farm and Valley View farm is known 
throughout the county as one of the most attractive farms of this section. 
It requires skillful management and scientific farming to accumulate land 
at the price which the farmer has to pay for land today. The money 
which will buy one acre of land today would buy more than fifty acres 
one hundred years ago, and it is hardly possible that the farmer derives 
fifty times as much revenue from the land at the present time. 

Mr. Kellough was married March 11, 1897, to Iva W. Woods, the 
daughter of Ashley and Amanda (Zimmerman) Woods, and to this union 
one son has been born, who first saw the light of day December 9, 1899. 

Mr. Kellough and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, in the welfare of which they are actively interested and -to the 
support of which they are liberal contributors. Fraternally, Mr. Kellough 
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while, politically, he 
is identified with the Republican party, although he has never been an 
aspirant for any public office. The career of Mr. Kellough has been such 
as to win the hearty commendation of his fellow citizens, being a man 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 5^5 

whu has won his success ])y the use of honorable methods and the exercise 
of the Golden Rule in all of his dealings. Such men are a credit to the 
community in which they live, and the fact that Mr. Kellough has stood 
for the best interests of his community in all lines shows why he is so 
highly regarded l)y all with whom he is associated. 



HOWARD FOSTER. 



Prominent in the affairs of his own locality and distinguished as a 
citizen whose influence is far extended beyond the limits of the community 
honored by his residence, the name of Howard Foster stands out a con- 
spicuous figure among the successful farmers of the locality of which this 
volume treats. All of his undertakings have been actuated by noble motives 
and high resolves and characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong in- 
dividuality and his success and achievements but represent the result of fit 
utilization of innate talent and directing efforts along those lines where mature 
judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. 

Howard Foster, well known trustee of Paint township and one of 
the leading farmers of this section, was born on March 9. 1858, on the old 
Clever farm near Yatesville, this state, the son of Daniel Sturgeon (better 
known as "Doc") and Elizabeth ( Clever) Foster. The subject's father was a 
native of the state of Pennsylvania, born in Uniontown. and when a young 
man he emigrated westward in search of better opportunities than his native 
section afforded. He decided to make Ohio his future home and did so, 
locating in Fayette county. He had been well educated in his native state and 
upon settling in this state decided u])on farming as his life work, in which he 
was successful. He was the father of seven children, the immediate subject 
being the first-born. John was the second son : Trskine ; Sturgeon ; then fol- 
lowed Flerbert: Alpha, widow of Al Sorrell and mother of one child, Zoe, 
and Frank. 

When a bov. Mr. Foster attended the schools of the home district, later 
si)ending one year in the schools of Rloomingburg. where he took the higher 
grades and finished his school days. During his school years he assisted 
in the work of the home place during his idle hours and vacation times and 
in this way acquired a liking for'and knowledge of the life of a farmer. Con- 
sequently, it was but natural that he should decide upon this vocation as that 
of his life work, and in his venture he has succeeded admirably. He today 



506 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

operates the estate of one hundred acres of as fine land as the county boasts, 
splendidly located just on the tdgt of the city of Bloomingburg. Here he 
carries on general farming and kindred work, gixing ])articular attention 
to the raising of live stock, which he has found to be a profitable source 
of income. He gives intelligent direction to his efforts and has attained 
a degree of success commensurate with the effort and energy expended. 

A'Ir. h'oster is the father of an interesting family of nine children, 
\>re, Ra}'. Honor, Roscoe, Edna, Bernice. Florence and two infants which 
died when very young. Mrs. Foster before her marriage was Mary E. 
Bloomer, her marriage to the subject being solemnized on Xovember lo. 
t88o. She is the daughter of J. G. and Jane ( r)e\\'itt) Bloomer. 

Mr. Foster's fraternal aftiliation is with the time-honored body of Free 
and Accepted Masons and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, 
taking intelligent and pleasurable interest in the work of these two societies. 
He is a stanch Republican, politically, and is acti\'e in the local affairs of 
the party. Mr. Foster has long had the best interests of this locality at heart 
and has sought to advance them in whatever way possible. His career has 
been characterized by untiring energy, uncompromising fidelitv and an ear- 
nest desire to advance himself in his chosen vocation. He is ([uick of per- 
ception, forms his plans readily and executes them with alacrity, at the 
same time winning and retaining the high esteem of all with whom he comes 
in contact by the honorable course which he has ])ursued. 



RUSSELL PARRETT. 



One of the highly respected farmers of a past generation in Jefferson 
tovi^nship, Fayette county, Ohio, was the late Russell Parrett. whose whole 
life was spent within the county where he was born. He was not onl}- in- 
terested in the material prosperity of his county, but took an active part in 
church work, and was always interested in everything pertaining to the 
educational welfare of his township and county as well. He Avas a man of 
high ideals, strict integrity and great earnestness of i)urpose. and in ever\'- 
thing he did he held duty conscientiously before him. He was charitable to 
the faults of his neighbors, exhibited a kindl}- disposition towards ex'erv- 
one \vith whom he came in contact and was always a\ illing to help those 
less fortunate than himself. 

The late Russell Parrett was born in Jefferson township. Favette 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 507 

county, Ohio, and died in the county where he was l)orn on July _''). 1905. 
He was the son of Josepli and Rebecca ( Fansher ) I'arrett, l)oth of whom 
were born in Cocke county. l>nnessee. llie I'arrett family originally came 
from Virginia to Tennessee, and subsequently to Fayette county, Ohio. 
Joseph Parrett was married before leaving- Tennessee, and upon coming to 
this county early in its history entered a tract of government land where 
he li\e(l the remainder of his days. The earl\- education of Russell Parrett 
was received in the district schools, and all of the education he acquired 
w-as received in these schools. He has a tine farm of eighty acres, which 
he ac(|uired after his marriage in 1855, l)ut he did not conline all of his 
attention to his own farming. Fie bought and sold live stock practically 
all of his life and made a marked success of this kind of work. He was 
considered one of the best judges of live slock in the count}', and so well 
established was his reputation that he had no difficulty in securing the best 
stock in the count\- for his shipments. He was honest in all of his busi- 
ness transactions and therel)y gained the confidence of all with whom he had 
any lousiness dealings. 

Mr. Parrett was married March J3, iS()5. to Rebecca Carley. who was 
born in September. 1845, ^^ Clermont county. Ohio, near Batavia. and was 
the daughter of Elijah and Margaret (Wiley) Carley. To this union were 
born six children, Montress. Homer, Alberta. Blanche, Emma and Albert 
R. Two of these children are married. Homer and Blanche. Homer mar- 
ried Fouisa Griffith and has three children. Edith, Russell and Anna F. 
Blanche married Arthur Parrett. .\lberta is deceased, while the other three 
children are still single and li\'ing in this county. 

The parents of Mrs. Parrett came from the state of Vermont to Ohio. 
Elijah Carlev was the son of Elijah and Agnes (Graham) Carley. Mrs. 
Parrett was one of nme children born to her ])arents. the others being as 
follows: Caroline. 1^'rank. iMiima, All)ert, Focke. W^arren. Clayton and 
Orla. All of these chiklren are now deceased with the exception of Re- 
becca, the widow of Mr. Parrett. and Clayton and Orla. 

Mr. Parrett was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and 
took a deep interest in e\er}thing pertaining to the welfare of his denomina- 
tion. Educational matters attracted him from the fact partly that he had 
such limited education in his boyhood da}'s. He served on the school board 
of his township for many years and favored any measure w^hich he felt 
might improve the schools in any way. Mr. Parrett was truly one of the 
rei)resentative citizens of his day and generation and when he passed awa\- 
the countv lost one C'f its worthiest citizens. 



508 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

ISAAC VVAPLES. 

Immediately after the Revolutionary War the go\ernment undertook 
to organize the Northwest Territory and open it for settlement. Three years 
after the war had closed Virginia had ceded her claims over the Northwest 
Territory to the government, and six years after the close of that war the 
first settlers arrived in what is now Ohio. In 1803 Ohio was admitted to the 
Union and seven }ears later Fayette county was organized. In those early 
days Ohio was a tempting field for the energetic, ambitious and strong- 
minded men of New England. Hundreds of old Re\olutionar\- soldiers 
came to this state and their descendants are to be found everywhere in the 
state at the present time. There was a certain fascination in the broad fields 
which this new region presented, and the fertile valleys induced men to brave 
the discomforts of early life here for the purpose of gratifying their desire 
to find homes for themselves and their posterity. It is an axiom of history 
that only the strong willed and most energetic men fiock to a new and un- 
settled community, and this accounts for the sturdiness exhibited b}- our 
f ore fathers. 

The Waples family were among the early settlers of Fayette county. 
Ohio. William and Mary Waples were among the first of the famih- name 
to locate in Ohio. They were born in the state of Delaware and came to this 
state after their marriage and carved a home for themselves in the virgin 
forests of Paint township, this county. 

One of the many children of William and Marv Waples was liurton, 
the father of Isaac Waples. with whom this narrative deals. Burton Waples 
v.as born in Fayette county and spent his entire lite within its precincts 
I-Ie married Elizabeth Moore and reared a family of five children, Mary, 
Anthony. William, Isaac and Catherine. Mary and Anthonv are deceased, 
while the uther three are still living. Catherine was twice married, her first 
marriage being to James Haam. After the death of her first husband she 
married William Shelpman. To her first marriage two sons, Ray and Earl, 
were born. 

Isaac Waples. the proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres on the State road in Paint township, was born October 14. t86o. on 
the farm where he is now living. His boyhood days followed the usual 
routine and consisted of a few months of schooling during the winter sea- 
sons and hard work on the home farm during the summers. At the age of 
eighteen he commenced working for himself and contniued working for the 



i- \vi:tte corxTN', oiiio. 309 

next eighteen years before he loeated (jii a farm of his own. lie married 
in iSc/) and then took eharge of his present farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres, on which he has jilaced many improvements of all kinds. 

Mr. Waples was married .\pril 15, 1896. to Jeannette (Boone) Mont- 
gomery, the daughter of 1'homas and Ellen (Inskip) Montgomery. Thomas 
^Tontgomery was a native of Brown county, Ohio, as also was his wife. 
On her mother's side Mrs. Waples was related to Daniel Boone, the famous 
frontiersman of Kentucky. Thomas Montgomerv and wife were the par- 
ents of six children: Mary E., Mrs. Catherine Edwards, Mrs. Jeannette 
Waples, Nancy A., Ella M. and Mrs. Minnie B. Brown. 

Politically. Mr. Waples has always been affiliated with the Republican 
party and has i>een active in local matters. .\t the ]3resent time he is serving 
with credit on the school board of his township. 



CHARLES C. McCOY. 



No occupation has gone through more radical changes within the past 
half century than farming. When the virgin soil of Ohio was first cleared 
there was no difficulty in raising crops of all kinds, but with continual 
cropping the land lost its pristine fertility and artificial means were resorted 
to in order to keep the farms of the state to a high state of ])ro(luctivity. In 
order that land may be profitable the cro])s and live stock maintained upon 
it must be adapted not only to local conditions of soil and climate, but also 
to existing economic conditions. On those farms which comliine these fac- 
tors of efficiency the profits are the greatest, yet in the last analysis the 
farmer himself is the determining factor in every successful agricultural en- 
ter])rise. It must not be overlooked that the farmer is just as quick to take 
ad\antage of economic principles as he is of improved methods of growing" 
cro])s and feeding animals. Experience has shown the farmer that the 
jjroblems of farm organization are usually those of readjustment and im- 
provement of existing systems rather than the introduction of wholly new 
systems. There are many acres in Fayette county, Ohio, which have been 
under cultivation for more than one hundred vears and are still capable of 
raising good crops. One of the county's l)est farmers, who thoroughly un- 
derstands the best methods of getting the maximum results from the soil, is 
Charles C. McCoy, of Jefferson township. 

Charles C. McCov, the son o.f John and T^lizabeth (Collett) ^FcCov, 



5IO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

was born December 20. 1869, near Good Hope, in \Va}ne townsbip, this 
county. His parents were natives of Fayette and Clinton counties, Ohio, 
respectivel\-, but the father Ijein^' 1)orn and reared in Fayette they settled 
here after their marriai^e and later moved to Clinton. John McCoy was the 
son (if llidnias and Margaret (Har]ier) McC^oy. emigrants from Frederick 
count}, Maryland. Thomas McCov and wife were the parents of eleven 
children, James. Joseph. Allen, Judson. John. Hugh. Thomas, William (died 
in infancy). Flizabeth. Sarah. Maria and Ann. All of the boys are de- 
ceased except Thomas, and all the girls are living except Sarah. 

Charles C. McCo)", the only child of his parents, was educated in the 
schools of this county and Inter attended W^ilmington College, after which 
he entered ( )hio State Cni^■ersity for two )'ears. He was married in 1902, 
and at once settled on a part of the Parrett home farm in Jefferson town- 
ship, where he has since resided and which he now owns. Being a man of 
progressive ideas, he has made a pronounced success of his chosen life work 
and his farm is one of the most attractive of the township. 

Mr. ]\[cCo\- was married January 30, igo2, to May Parrett. the daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Hinton and XancA' (Allen) Parrett. Mrs. McCoy is one 
of five children 1)orn to her ))arents. the other four l)eing Seth E., Mrs. Eva 
Miller, Airs. Ora Hayes and Mrs. Cora Wood. Mr. and Mrs. McCov have 
no children. 

Politically, 'Mr. McCoy is independent, but has always taken an intelli- 
gent interest in all matters of a local nature. Fie has preferred to devote his 
time and energies to agricultural pursuits rather than to take an active part 
in political campaigns. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members 
of the ^vTethodist Protestant church, in the welfare of which they are inter- 
ested and to the supiiort of which the\- are lilieral contributors. 



OR\'lFFE C. BROCK. 



It is a i)leasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made 
man Mich as ( )r\ille C. I'.rock, a prosperous farmer of Paint township, this 
count\. Ili^ whole life of more than a half century has been spent within 
this countv, and he has so conducted himself as to merit the high and gen- 
ercnis esteem in which he is uni^■ersally held. He began life practically 
unaided ;ni(l alone and has remo\ed one by one the obstacles from his path- 
wav and succeeded in forging his way to the front, thereby winning for him- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 5II 

sell' a cur.ipctency and a position of intiuence among his fellow men. Know- 
ing that this connty was destined to take a high rank among the productive 
counties of Ohio, he applied himself closely to his work and waited for the 
fu-ture to bring its reward. 

Orville C. Brock, the son of Evan and Susanna (Griffith) Brock, was 
l)()rn l''el)ruar\- 4, 1859, in the township where he has spent his entire life. 
J I is father was a native of Madison county, this state, and was the son of 
K\an and Mary E. (Brown) Brock, who settled in Madison county, Ohio, 
in )(S!2. I''.\an and Mar}^ E. (Brown) Brock were the parents of seven 
children. Richard, .Saul, George, Cooper. Elizabeth, Mrs. Strong, and Evan, 
the father of Or\'ille C, with whom this narrative deals. 

Evan Brock, Jr.. was reared in Madison county, Ohio, and shortlv after 
liis marriage to Susanna Griffith located in Fayette county. His farm was 
C(^\ ered with timl)er and. lie and his young ])ride went to housekeeping in a 
new^ log house, which was hastily constructed, and he applied himself with 
indefatigable energ}- and perse\erance to the clearing of his farm, and before 
his death liad cleared f(_)ur hundred acres of land in this county. Not all of 
this work was done by himself, since he had a large family of children and 
his sons were hard workers from their earliest boyhood days. Evan and 
Susanna (Griffith) F'rock reared a large family of children: Airs. Libbie 
Hays, Oliver, Orville C, Jeptha, Evan, Dolly, Ray, Francis, Minnie, Jemina. 
Florence and two who died in infancy. 

Or\ille C". Brock was liorn in a log cabin on the old Brock farm and 
attended the rude log school house of his home neighborhood. He re- 
mained at home until he reached his majority and then began working out 
lj\- the month. He sa^■ed his money and with his earnings purchased a 
small farm when- he was married at the age of twenty-five, and he has since 
added to this farm until he is now the owner of one hundred and twenty- 
fi\e acres of fine land on the Prairie pike in Paint township. He has placed 
e:\tensi\e improvements upon this place and now has one of the most at- 
tractive farms in his township. 

Mr. Ih'ock was married in [884 to Miranda Coe, who was the daughter 
of William and Lucy J. ( E^'erett ) Coe. William Coe was a native of 
Frederick count}'. West \^irginia, and settled in this countv in the ])ioneer 
days. He and liis wife reared a family of ten children, Charles. Scott, Mrs. 
Miranda Rrock, Jas])er. Curtis, Reese, Leighton, Trvin, Marv and Mrs. .Anna 
Stoughton. W^illiam Coe was the son of \A^illiam and Marv Coe and was 
one of ten children born to his parents, the others being Jane, George, 
Alarv, Henrv, Norvall, Emma, Tames, Susan and Anna. 



512 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mr. Brock and wife have tive children: Bertha, who married Floyd 
Minick and has one son. Earl B. ; (ioldie. the wife of Lee \^annorsdall ; Octa 
B.. who married Frank Shippley and had one infant child, who is deceased; 
Lester, who married Ola Dnrfinger, and Nellie, who is still living with her 
parents and is a graduate of the Jeffersonville high school. 

Politically. Mr. Brock is a Democrat, but has never had any aspirations 
t<*) hold office or inclination to participate in political matters. Nevertheless, 
he takes an active interest in the ci\ic life of his community and lends his 
hearty support to all public measures achanced for the general welfare of 
his community. 



SAMUEL E. SHULTZ. 



Although a resident of this county but a few vears. Samuel Shultz has 
won honor and recognition for himself as a farmer and public-spirited 
citizen. He takes a deep interest in evervthing [)ertaining to the material 
advancement of his adopted townshi]) and county, and ever}- enterprise in- 
tended to promote the welfare of Fayette comity is sure to receixe his hearty 
support. He is rated as one of the most progressive farmers of his town- 
ship, and the high respect in which he is held bv all classes of people is a 
deserving compliment to an intelligent, l)road-minded and worthy man. 

The Shultz fanlil^• trace their ancestr\- back to colonial times. The hrst 
member of the family of whom definite information has been preserved was 
jehu Shultz, a nati\e of Pennsylvania and a soldier of the Revolutionary 
W^ar. Shortly after the close of that war jehu Shultz, the great-grand- 
father of Samuel Shultz, w-ith whom this narrative deals, came to Ohio and 
settled in Adams county. One of his sons was Edward B., who grew to 
manhood in Adams county, married Elizabeth Watson and spent all of his 
days in the county of his birth, dying at an advanced age. 

John W. Shultz, one of the children born to Edward B. Shultz and 
wife, was a native of Adams countv, Ohio, where he lived until he was about 
forty-hve years of age. He then removed to Champaign count}', Illinois, 
W'here he is now living. Four children have been born to John \V. and 
Nancy E. (Polly) Shultz, Samuel, Rhoda, Aha and Walter, all of whom 
are still living except Rhoda. 

Samuel Shultz was born in Adams county, Ohio. February 29, 1872, 
and UKjved with his parents to Illinois, where he lived from the time he was 
about eight years old. He received part of his schooling in Adams county, 




MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL E. SHULTZ 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 513 

Ohio, and finished in Champaign county, Illinois. Upc^n reaching manhood 
he worked by the month for several years and then went west and worked 
on a cattle ranch for a time. He married in Champaign county, Illinois, and 
bought a farm which he operated there for about eighteen years, after which 
he sold his land holdings in Illinois, moving to Fayette county, Ohio, where 
he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres one mil efrom Jeffer- 
sonville. He maintains an interest in several grain elevators in Shel]:)y 
count}'. Illinois, where he lived for some years. 

Mr. Shultz was married January 24, 1897, to Hannah E. Potter, the 
daughter of John and Rebecca (Gibson) Potter, he a native of Oldham. 
England, and she of Guernsey county, Ohio. Mr. Shultz and wife are the 
parents of four children, three of whom are still living. John H.. Irene and 
Stanley. Edward W. is deceased. 

Politically, Mr. Shultz is a Progressive, and while living in Illinois 
was very active in local politics. He served as ditch commissioner and had 
served two years of a four-year term as county commissioner when he re- 
signed and moved to this county. Since coming here his agricultural inter- 
ests have demanded all of his time and attention, but is at present candidate 
for county commissioner on the I'rogressive ticket. The family are all loyal 
and consistent members of the United Brethren church, and take an active 
interest in the welfare of their denomination. They live in one of the finest 
homes in the township. 



LENNA LONG. 



Dependent ver}- largely upon his own resources from his early youth, 
Lenna T-ong has attained to a prominent position among the agriculturists 
of his township. He has encountered many obstacles and met with reverses, 
but. ne\ertheless. has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work for the 
end he had in view. I^'or several years he \v(jrked as a molder throughout 
the Central West, but the call of the farm drew him l^ack to the old home 
place, where he is now living. His tenacity and fortitude are due in a large 
measure to the worthy traits inherited from his sterling ancestors, whose 
high ideals and correct principles he has ever sought to perpetuate in all the 
relations of life. 

Lenna Long, the son of C. H. and Belle (Wilson) Long, was born 
June 22, t88o, on the farm where he is now living. His father settled here 
{33) 



514 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

in his youiiii: ciiiltlhood. grew to maturity, married and reared a family of 
seven children: Ira, who lives in Columbus, Ohio; Lenna, with whom this 
narrative deals: Frank: Fay; Claire, deceased; Clara, who resides in the 
state of Rhcxle Island, and Louisa. The mother of these children died in 
rgo6. l'>ank J^ong still li\es on the home farm of one hundred acres. 

Lenna Long received his education in the Whissler school of his home 
neighborhood and the Spring Fork and Roberts schools of Madison county, 
this Slate. His boyhood days were not unlike those of the average farm 
lad and consisted of attendance at the district schools during the winter 
seasons and hard work upon the home farm during the summers. After 
leaving school he learned the trade of a molder and for a few years worked 
at this trade in several different cities throughout the country. However, 
he never lost his love for the farm and after his marriage, in 1903, located 
on the old home farm, six miles north of Bloomingburg, in Paint township, 
where he has since lived. 

Mr. Long was married June 22, 1903, to Lucy Harrow, the daughter 
and John D. and Lucretia (Shaw) Harrow. John D. Harrow is a prominent 
citizen of Columbus, Ohio, where he and his family are now living. Six 
children were born to John D. Harrow and wife: Lucy, Steel, David. 
Grace, Luella and Christian. 

Politically, Mr. Long is a Democrat, but has never held any public 
office except that of road supervisor. 



CRATON ERVIN. 



One of the youngest soldiers of Fayette county, Ohio, to offer his life 
for the service of his country at the opening of the Civil War was Craton 
Ervin, now a prosperous farmer of Jeft'erson township. He did not enter 
the service as some did from motives of sport or frolic, but, with a boy's 
enthusiasm, enlisted- because he felt that his country was in danger. Al- 
though he was only sixteen years of age, yet his heart beat with all the 
ardor of a man many vears his senior, and his three years at the front were 
lilled with more harrowing experiences than he has ever gone through with 
since that time. From his earliest years he had been taught to hate slavery 
and to do all that he could to blot it from this country's escutcheon. Coming 
back from the war. he started in to farm and gradually accumulated a fine 
farm of two hundred acres, on which he is now living. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 515 

Craton Ervin, the son of David and Susannah (Ballard) Ervin, was 
born October 26, 1845, i^^ Madison county, Ohio. The Ervin family came 
from Scotland to this country and located in South Carolina, where David 
i^rvin was born. As a young man David Ervin came to Fayette county, 
where he married and reared a family of eight children, John, Louisa, Isabella, 
Mary, Craton, Abi, Cynthia and William S. Three of these children, John, 
Isabella and Abi, are deceased. 

The father of Craton Ervin died when he was a mere lad of six years, 
consequently he lost that fatherly guidance which every boy has the right 
to expect. He was reared among strangers and for some years lived with a 
man in Fayette county by the name of John Bloomer. The fact that he was 
brought up among strangers may account for the fact that when the Civil 
War opened he at once volunteered his services for the defense of his 
country. 

Mr. Ervin enlisted on December 12, 1861, in Company C, Seventy- 
fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his regiment, under the com- 
mand of Colonel Moody, was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. He 
fought in many of the bloodiest engagements of that memorable struggle. 
At or riear Kingston, Georgia, while driving a commissary wagon, he was 
run over and had his thigh broken. He was kept in hospitals in different 
places until he was finally discharged at Chicago, December 15, 1864. He 
arrived home on Christmas day of that year, after spending three years at 
the front and nearly sacrificing his life in defense of his nation's honor. He 
is a loyal member of Janes Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Jefferson- 
ville, and is always deeply interested in everything which pertains to the 
welfare of the old veterans. 

After the war Mr. Ervin began to rent land and farmed in this way 
for several years. In 1889 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in 
Jefferson township and has since added eighty acres more, giving him a fine 
farm of two hundred acres, three miles from Jeffersonville. 

Mr. Ervin was married in 1873 ^o Nancy Hutchinson, the daughter of 
Isaac and Jane (Engle) Hutchinson, who were both born arid reared in 
Virginia and were early settlers in Logan county, this state, later locating in 
Fayette county, where they reared a family of five children, Phoebe, Jane, 
James P., Isaac, and Nancy, the wife of Mr. Ervin. Phoebe, the oldest 
child of the family, is deceased, as is Mrs. Ervin. 

Mr. Ervin and wife reared a family of six children : Nettie, who \3 
married and has one daughter, Morna; Otis, who married Ida Gray and 



5.16 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

has two children. iMjrrest and Eunice; Editli, single; Clarence, married and 
lives at St. Joe. Missouri; Ralph, who married Bessie Fnltz ; Addie. who is 
married and has one son, C. E. 

roliticallv, Mr. Ervin has long been affiliated with the Republican 
jjarty, hut has never had any aspirations along official lines. Me has devoted 
his whole career to his agricultural pursuits and with a success which classes 
him among the best farmers of his county. Religiously, he is a faithful and 
consistent member of the Christian church, in whose welfare he is inter- 
ested and to whose support lie is a generous contributor. Mr. Ervin is highly 
respected, and his long career in this county has been markedly free from 
all blame c^r censure. 



lOHN A. PAR RETT. 



The Parrett family has been identified with the history (jf Payette 
county f(jr more than a centur\-, John Parrett, the grandfather of John A. 
Parrett. having come to this county in \Hi2. Frederick and Barbara (Ed- 
wards) Parrett. the great-grandparents, came to Ross county in 1814, when 
they were well along in years. One of their children was John Parrett, who is 
the grandfather of John A., whose history is here recorded. John I'arrett 
was born in the Shenandoah valley, N'irgiuia, as was his wife, Catherine 
Windle, and they w^ere married before coming to Ohio. They hrst settled in 
Fayette county, this state, in icSu, with their two children, Mrs. Sarah 
Griffith, and Eli, the father of the immediate subject of this review. John 
Parrett saw service in the War of 181 2 and then, upon returning to peaceful 
pursuits at the close of that struggle, located in Jefferson township, on Paint 
creek, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was familiarly known 
to the people of his township as 'T-^aint John." while his cousin, Joseph, 
went bv the pseudonym "Paint Joe." "T'aint Joe's" father was wounded at 
the battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary War. 

Eli Parrett was born in the Shenandoah valle}', Virginia, h'ebruary 4, 
1811. and was less than a vear old when his parents settled in Fayette 
countw Here he grew to manhood and married twice. His first marriage 
was to Evdia Robinson, and to this union three children were born: Mrs. 
Lucinda Bailey; Mary, deceased, and C'atherine, deceased. Mrs. Bailey has 
three children who are living in the .state of Oregon, Eawrence. Katie and 
Harrv. After the death of his first wdfe. Eli Parrett married Sarah Con- 
nor, and to his second unidn were born five children: John A.; E. E. S., a 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



OV 



farmer of this count}-; Mrs. .Mekla L. Johnson; Clayton C, a farmer of 
Jefferson to\\nship. this count}', and Anna A!., the wife of Mart L. McCoy. 
Eli I'arrett was a successful farmer and at the time of his death was the 
owner ol two hundred and sixt}' acres of land in the county. 

John A. I'arrett, the oldest son of Eli Parrett and wife, was l)orn 
December K), 1846, in Jeffers(jn township. He was i^ixen the limited educa- 
tion to be obtained during his childhood da\s and early in life began to work 
upon the farm. I le was not old enough to enlist in the army at the opening 
of the Ci\il War, and as soon as he was old enough he enlisted in Company 
D, One Hundred and Sixt\-eighth kegiment Ohio X'olunteer Infantry, and 
was mustered into ser\ice on Ma\- J, iHd^. lie serxed until the close of the 
war and then retinmed to this count}- and resumed farming. That he was a 
successful farmer is shown b}- the fact that he is the owner of three hun- 
dred acres of fine land in Jefferson township. 

Air. Parrett was married ( )ctober 1. 1S76, to Emma Alercer, the daugh- 
ter of John 1). and Alar}- (Moon) Alercer, natixes of (ireene county. Ohio, 
and to this union has been l:)orn one daughter. Alar}, the xx'ife of Auburn 
Duff. 

Air. Parrett is a member of the D. El. Alillikan Post, Grand Army of 
the Re]jul)lic. and interested in its welfare. Religiously, he and his xxife are 
lo\al and consistent meml)ers (jf the Methodist Protestant church. 



WIELIAM B. DIEL. 



It is interesting to note in the series <jf ])ersonal biograjjlnes a])pearing" 
in this \olume the varying conditions that have com])assed those wdiose 
careers are outlined. Each man who strives to fulfill his ])art in connection 
with human life and human actixities is deserving of recognition, xxhatexer 
may be his field of endeax-or. It is the ])tirpose of works of this nature to 
perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those repre- 
sented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cunm- 
lative for all time to come. According t() the 19 10 census there were five 
thousand, fotu- hundred and sixty-six families living within the precincts of 
Payette county, r)hio, and it is to be regretted that this volume cannot cover 
the lives of more families than it does. 

William B. Dill, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson 
township, XX as born .September 15. i<S6o. in Ross county. Ohio, near Bain- 



5l8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

l)ridge. His parents, William and Mary (Kelly) Dill, were natives of the 
same county and lived there all of their lives. They reared a family of ei.^ht 
children, Elijah, Margaret, Mrs. Ella Poston. I-Vank. William B., Lewis (i., 
Robert and Edward. All of these children are living except Erank. William 
Dill was a son of Robert and Margaret Dill, natives of Virginia and early 
settlers of Ross county, this state, where they reared a large family of 
children, Robert, Richard, Walter. John, William, Arm, James and Margaret. 

William B. Dill attended the common schools of Ross county and 
finished his education in the Bainbridge high school. He worked on his 
father's farm during the summer season and remained at home until his 
marriage in 1892. In that year he came to Fayette county and l)ought two 
hundred acres of fine land two miles from Jeffersonville. Since acquiring 
this farm he has placed extensive improvements upon it and, being a man 
of taste, he has made his farm one of the most attractixe of the county. He 
raises all of the crops common to this section of the state and keei)s a high 
grade of live stock on the farm. 

Mr. Dill was married in [8(;_' to .Mice Bell, the daughter of William 
and Catherine Bell, of Champaign, Illinois, and to this union ha\c been 
born two children. Earl B., born ;\ugust 25, 1893, and Helen, born b'ebruar\- 
If;. l89(). 

Politically, Mr. Dill has long l^een identified with the Republican party, 
l)ut has never been an aspirant for public office or taken an acti\e ])art in 
political afl'airs. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandrx', an organiza- 
tion wliicb includes many of the farmers of this count}'. 1'lie familv are 
menilx'rs o\ the Methodist Episco])al church at Jefifersonville. 



ABEL H. JANES. 



It will always'be a mark of distinction to have ser\ed in the Federal 
army during the great war l)etween the states in the sixties. An old soldier 
will receixe attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself 
kn(i\\n It is an inspiring sight to see the old soldiers in their sacred uni- 
form march with faltering steps on Memorial day to decorate the graves of 
their (le])arted comrades. As the\- march to that silent city of the dead they 
are well aware that the time will soon come when some one will decorate 
their gra\es and when the last of tlie bovs in lilu.e will ba\e ])assed awaw as 
they must within the next few years, friends wWl ]:)ay them suita1)le eulogv 



fay?:ttk ("orxrv. oiiio. :;i(; 

for tho sacrifices they made during' that U^ng and terriljle strugg-le. h2ver 
afterwards will their descendants revere their memory and take pride in 
recounting their scr\-ices for their country- in its hour of ])eril. (3ne of the 
gallant old veterans of Fayette county, Ohio, who has answered the last roll 
call is Ahel H. janes, whose name is now enrolled in the Army Triumphant 
in that hetter land. 

IIk^ late Ahel H. janes was horn Fel>ruary i i, iS,^<), in Jefferson town- 
shi];, Fayette county, Ohio, and died in Jasper township on August 17, itjio. 
lie was the son of William P. and Mary (Mock) Janes, nati\-es of \'irginia 
ar.d early settlers in Ross county. Ohio. l^Iexen children were horn to 
William P. janes and wife: Oliver, Clarissa, Johanna, Marjorie, Ahel, 
Levi, Catherine, Ellen, John, Rosetta, Oliva and Douglas. .\11 of these 
children, except Rosetta and Mary Catherine, have i)assed to their reward, 
after living li\-es of usefulness and honor. 

Ahel H. janes was educated in the schools of Jefferson townshij) and 
was w^orking on his father's farm when the Civil \\'ar hroke out. He first 
enlisted in 1862 in the Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a 
member of Compan}' C. He ser\ed two years as a member of this regiment 
and was then taken prisoner at Harper's b'erry and cast into a Southern 
prison, but was eventually exchanged and honorably mustered out of the 
service. However, he wished to serve his country, and accordingly re-en- 
listed in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Reg'iment Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, and was the second time ca])tm-ed b}' the Confederates at Cynthiana 
and was then paroled and came home, being for the second time mustered 
out of the service. Immediately after the close of the war, he returned to 
this county and worked out by the month for a time. He w-as married in 
1867 and he and his wife worked hard in order to sa\'e money to pa}' for the 
farm which they bought, but their efforts w^ere rewarded very substantially 
and they gradually added to their land holdings until they owned a fine farm 
of two hundred and eight acres in Jefferson and Jas|)er townships. 

Mr. Janes was married Februar}- 7, 1867, to Almeda Hays, the daugh- 
ter of Morgan Hays, of Paint township, and to this union five children were 
born: William M., Cass G., Jennie P.. Chester H., and Scott P. William 
M. married Margaret McMonagil and has three ciiildren, C^armel, Clarence 
and Luther; Cass G. married Alice White and has three children, Florence, 
John L. and Leonard C. : Jennie P. is the wife of Clyde Allen; Che.ster H. 
married Mary Allen and has four children, I^ucile, Carl, Helen and Tanice; 
Scott P. is deceased and is l)uried in the Fair\'iew cemeterv. 



220 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mr. janes was a stalwart Republican all his life and was always deeply 
interested in the success of his party, although ne\er a candidate for public 
office. Fraternalh . he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
l'"ello\vs, and he and his wife were both members of the Daughters of Re- 
bekah. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman, 
belonging- to the l(xlge at Alilledgeville. this county. ]\Ir. Janes was a man of 
force of character and enjoxed a high degree oi jjopularity in the commun- 
ity where he spent his whole life. He was essentially a self-made man, knew^ 
no such thing as idleness, and was ever ready to assist his friends and neigh- 
Ijors wild were not so fortunate as himself. 



lAMES L. DULLER. 



A represenlati\ e citizen of Fayette county. ( )hio, is James L. -\liller, 
who is distinguished for his sijlendid ability in carr}ing to completicjn what- 
e\er he undertakes. He enjoys marked prestige as a man who accom- 
plishes dehnhe ends and stands out as a clear and conspicuous figure among 
the successful men of his count)-. Characterized l)y breadth of wisdom 
and strong indi\idualit\-, his achie\'ements represent his innate talents in 
directing eft^orts along hues which mature judgment and a resourcefulness 
that hesitates at no (apposing circumstances pave the way and ultimately lead 
to success, it is not }jossil)le in this connection to gi\e a detailed history of 
his ])usv life. l)ut onl\- to note his connection incidentall}' with the develop- 
ment of Fa\-ette count^• and to show tlie intlucnce he has wielded in ad\'anc- 
ing the material interests of this section of the state. 

James L. Miller, the manager of the ( iray estate of three hundred 
acres of land in Jefferson township, was born I'"el)ruary 2/, iSOf), in the 
township where he has al\\a\'s li\-ed. flis ])arents. Jacob and Hannah 
(Jacobs) Miller, were nati\es of this county and reared a family of nine 
children, Samson, Susan, Mary, W. C Ada. John S., James L., Edward 
and Xancv. All of these children except Edward are still living. 

James L. Miller attended the schools at Millers\ille. Ohio, and also was 
a student of the Buck and Gallon schools in this countw He assisted his 
father with the work on the home farm during the summer seasons in his 
bovhood davs, and at the age of twent\- he married and began farming for 
himself. He has met with success commenstn-ate with his efforts and is 
recoo'iiized as one of the most nrot>Tessi\e and ui)-to-date farmers ()f the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 521 

count). I'rui^al in his manner of living- and well ecjuippecl with energy and 
determination, he has succeeded where others liave tailed. He is the owner 
of one hundreti and forty acres of land in Pickaway county, this state, five 
hundred acres in Texas, and is now the manager of the (xray estate of three 
hundred acres in Jeft'erson township. I!e is one of the largest stock raisers 
of the count) and has met with remarkahle success in his particular line of 
farming. He feeds most of his crops to his stock, having found that this is 
the most profitable wav of turning his farm produce into money. 

Mr. Miller was married March t, i8()4, to Emma Gregg, the daughter 
of Andrew (iregg, and to this union ha\e been born five children, Audrey, 
Carl, Mina. Leonard and Alta. 

Politically, Mr. Miller is identified with the Republican party, but so 
extensive have been his agricultural interests that he has never felt that he 
had the time to engage in i)olitical aft'airs. Xevertheless, his influence has 
always been felt at local elections and he is looked upon as a man thoroughly 
in sympath^• with e\er)- movement looking to the lietterment or advance- 
ment in an\ wav of his comnninity. He has always Ijeen regarded as a man 
of sterling honesty and worth and well meriting the utmost confidence and 
respect of his fellow citizens. He and his family move in the best social 
circles of this communit)- and, l)eing a genial and unassuming man, he has 
won a large and loyal personal following of friends and acquaintances. 



TESSE B. DAVIS. 



In i>lacing the name of Jesse B. Davis, a successful druggist of Jeffer- 
sonvillc, ( )hio. in the front rank of Fayette county's business men, simple 
justice i> done to a ])iographical fact universally recognized throughout the 
county. -\ man of sound judgment, rare discretion, thorough technical 
knowledge and business ability of a high order, he has managed his affairs 
with -])lendi(l success and has so impressed his individuality upon the com- 
munit\ as to gain recognition among its leading citizens and public-spirited 
men of afl:'airs. 

iessc il. Davis, the son of Nelson and Eliza (Anderson) Davis, w'as 
born in W ;nne townshi]). kX^'ctte county, Ohio, in 1(858. His father, w^ho 
was Ix.rn in the same townshi]). was the son of Benjamin R. Davis, a native 
of Keniuckv and an car]\- settler of l'\'iyette county, Ohio. Nelson Davis and 
wife were tlie ])arents of six children, Charles W., Jesse B., Eva, Jennie. 
Mrs. ]\lartha Tohnson and Mrs. Delia Hutchinson. 



522 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



After completing the common schools of his home township. Mr. l)a\'is 
attended the normal school at Lehanon, Ohio, and later attended the Ohio 
Wesleyan University, at Delaware. While attending- college he worked on 
the farm during the summer seasons, and upon the completion of his college 
course lie commenced the drug husiness in Jeffersonville, where he has since 
resided. He carries a large and carefully selected line of drugs and drug- 
gists' sundries, wdiich are attractively displayed. As a result of his sound 
business judgment and his earnest efforts to please all who enter his store, 
he has met with well deserved success in this enterprise, being classed among 
the best druggists of his county. 

Mr. Davis was married in 1885 to Lola (ul)-, the daughter of David 
and Elizabeth Culy, and to this union ha\e been bom three children, Arthur 
R., Dean and Charles W. Arthur, wh(^ is a student at Ohio State Univer- 
sity, is married and has one son, Roy; Dean is li\'ing in Fort Wayne, In- 
diana, and Charles W. is a student at Jefferscmville. 

The Demc^cratic party has always claimed tlic loyal support of Mr. 
Davis and he has lieen ven' actixe in local pt^litics. He has served on the 
school board of his home town. In the administration of his official busi- 
ness he gi\'es the citizens careful and conscientious service and \\ell merits 
the high commendations the\' accord him. His long life in this county has 
endeared him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who have been 
attracted to him by the straightforward, upright course of his life and his 
high rejnitation for integrity and correct conduct. 



CAPT. lOHX C. HAYS. 



The half centur}- which has elapsed since the Civil War leaxes com- 
parativel}" few of the old \eterans to tell the stor}- of that terriljle conflict 
between the states. Through four }'ears of suffering and wasting hardships 
the Union soldier laid the superstructure of the greatest nation on the face 
of the earth and dedicated it to the cause of human freedom. The world 
has lo(jked on and called those soldiers sublime, for it was theirs to reach 
out the might}' arm of power and strike the chains from off the slaves. i>re- 
serve the country from dissolution and keep unfurled tn the breeze the only 
flag that ever made tvrants tremble. Pension and ])olitical ])o\\er may be 
thrown at the feet of these gallant soldiers: art and scul]iture ma\- i)reserve 
upon can\as and in granite and bronze their unselfish acts: history ma}' com- 



FAVKTTK COTNTY. OHIO. ^2T, 

niit to l)ooks ;ui(l cold type may give to the future the tale of their suttering 
and triumph, l)ut to the children of generations yet unborn will it remain to 
accord the full measure of appreciation and undying remembrance of the 
immortal character carved out by the American soldier in the dark days of 
the sixties. One of Fayette county's gallant veterans who has responded to 
the last roll call is Capt. John C. Hays, than whom there was no braver 
soldier or truer friend. 

The late Capt. John C. Hays was born in L'nion townshi[), b'ayette 
countv. Ohio, on October 24, 1834, and died in the hospital at Springfield, 
where he had gone for treatment, October 6, 1907. He was the son of 
William and Hannah ( Brown) Hays, nati\es of the county and honored 
citizens. William Hays and wife reared a large family of children : Mrs. 
INJary Dawson, Charlotte, Anna, Mahssa, Elijah, Harrison. Jaxon. John C. 
and several who died in early childhood. 

Captain Hays recei\ed a good education in the common schools and 
colleges of his state. After completing the common .schools of his home 
neighborhood he went to Antioch College, where he took the classical course. 
]t was while attending college that he received his first military training, 
although he little realized at that time how soon he would be able to make 
use of it. After leaving college he taught school for one year, and then took 
up the study of law with one of the best lawyers in ^^'ashington C. H. In 
due course of time he was admitted to the bar and started to practice his 
profession. However, the Ci\il War came on and he laid aside his law 
books and offered his ser\ices to his country. 

John C. Havs enlisted on .Vugust 9. i8f._>, in C\)mpany C, One Hundred 
and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio \^olunteer Infantry, and was mustered in 
as first lieutenant. This regiment was recruited from the counties of I'^ay- 
ette. Perry, Fairfield, Pickaway, Hocking and Vinton, and was mustered 
into the service of the L^nited States September 11, 1862. The regiment 
remained in Camp Circleville until September 19, 1862. when it was ordered 
to Marietta. Upon arriving at the latter place, September 21st, the regi- 
ment went into camp for six weeks, during which time it was drilled and 
equipped for active service in the field. It is not possible in this connection 
to follov; the history of this regiment, but only to indicate very l)riefiy such 
gallant record. In December, 1862, the regiment was placed on board a 
transport and taken down the Ohio and Mississippi to Vickslmrg. and partic- 
ipated in the assault on the outer works of that city in the latter ])avt of 
December. The regiment participated in all of the engagements fought 



524 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

arouiul X'icksbiirg during tht winter, spring and summer of 1862-3. After 
the surrender of X'ickslmrg he remained in that city until August 13, 1863, 
when the regiment was taken down the Mississippi to Xew Orleans and from 
thence carried to the coast of Texas, where they landed December 3, 1863. 
The regiment remained in Texas and Louisiana until January, 1865, ^vhen it 
was ordered to i^dorida. l)ut in May was returned again to Texas, where it 
was stationed ^\■hen the war closed. During its term of service the One 
Hundred and I^'ourteenth Regiment marched by land and sailed by water 
o\ er ten thousand miles, performing duty in ten different states, engaging in 
eight liard- fought battles and numerous skirmishes. It lost in killed and 
wounded six ot^cers and eight}' men. The loss l)y dise^ise was \ery great 
the first year, when two hundred men died and a large number were dis- 
charged for disability. A singular point in the history of this regiment is 
the fact that it was free from casualties during the latter part of its ser\ ice. 
During ihe last nineteen months no regimental ])ur_\ing occurred and it is 
ckmbtful if anotlier regiment in tlie whole arm\ of the .\orth holds such a 
record. Captain lla\s. who was mustered in as hrst lieutenant, was mus- 
tered oul as captain of his compau)-. 

immediatel}- after the close of the war Captain Ha}-s returned to his 
home in b'ayette count}' and. after marr_\'ing in 1807, turned his attention to 
farming. ]iref erring the independent existence of the farmer to that of the 
more exact insj' life ot the lawyer. He owned a very producti\'e farm of two 
hundred acres in Jefferson townshi]) and on this lie sjjent the remainder of 
his days. He was actixe in all good work in his community and was a great 
l)elie\er and Sundax" sch(jol worker. l)eing one of the Ijest Biblical students 
in the county. 

(,'ai)tain Hays was married December 24, 1867, t" Mary E. Brock, 
daughter of T*Aan arid Susan ( (Iriftith ) Hrock, and to this union were born 
eight children: .Mr^. Lenora Horney, who has three children, Thurman, 
Audrey and Home}'; Lillian Ma}, who is a trained nurse at Springfield, 
Ohio: Leoti. deceased; Anna Maud, the wife of Chester L-vin ; Daisy Fran- 
cis, deceased: Mrs. Blanche Ritenhour, who has three children, Carroll, John 
J. and Donald: Th.urman B., who married Esther Gerard: John C, who is 
unmarried and n^iw managing the home farm. 

Captain Hays led a simple, unostentatious life, and in his home circle 
was known as a true and lo\'ing husband and father. He was a man of 
broad education, possessing a w^ell stored mind and kept in close touch with 
the great issues before the American people. He was a strong adxocate of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 525 

temperance and rejoiced in the wave of reform that is sweeping- over this 
land. He was a man of force of character and made himself felt on the 
right side of all questions of reform. Thus is briefly reviewed the life of a 
man who was greatly beloved by everyone who knew him, a man who had 
the interests of his family at heart, a man who was true to himself, to his 
country and to his God. 



WILLIAM GLENN LADD. 

Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Fayette county, 
Ohio, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than William 
Glenn Ladd, the manager of the Glasscock estate of seven hundred and sixty 
acres in Paint township. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in this countv and the years of his residence here have but served 
to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men. He 
has lived an honorable life and the worthy example he has set the younger 
generation is such as to merit his inclusion among the representative men 
of liis county. 

W^illiam G. Ladd, the son of George and Mary (Gillispie) Ladd, was 
born October 7. 1866, in Highland county, Ohio. His father was born and 
reared on the same farm and was a son of Jacob Ladd. The father of 
Jacob Ladd, whose name was also Jacob, was a Welshman and came to this 
country in the earl}- part of 1800 and settled in \^irginia. Of the twelve 
children born to George Ladd and wife, only three are living, Mrs. Cordelia 
Priest. 3!rs. Elsie Newland and William Glenn. 

The education of Mr. Ladd was received in the common schools of 
Llighland county, this state, where he grew to maturity and lived until 1905. 
At the age of twenty-one he began renting the old home farm of one hun- 
dred and fifty acres in Highland countw and rented it for four years, then 
mo^•ed on to another farm and remained on it until he nio\-ed to Fayette 
countv in 1905. L^pon coming to this county he bought the Morton Judy 
farm of two hundred acres in Union township and, in fact, he has bought 
and sold several farms, ha^•ing spent most of his time buying and selling 
farms. He later sold his last place of two hundred acres near Good Hope, 
in Wavne township. He is the manager of the Glasscock estate of seven 
hundred and sixty acres in Paint township, one of the largest farms in the 
countv. He is an extensive stock raiser, and sells several car loads of stock 
each vear. The farm is well equipped with all the latest machiner\- f(^r up- 



526 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

to-dale farniiii!^ and has se\eral large and commodious liarns scattered 
over it. 

Mr. Ladd was married on Christmas day, 1902. to Aiinnie Todhunter, 
and t(^ this union have been born two children, Ralph and Lndene. Mr. 
Ladd and his family are members of the Friends church. Fraternally, Mr. 
Ladd is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent 
Ordei' of Odd Fellows. As a citizen Mr. Ladd stands high in the esteem 
of his fellow men, being; public spirited and progressive, and. although a resi- 
dent of this county but a few years, yet he has thrown himself heartily into 
the support of all movements in behalf of the material advancement of his 
county, and the intellectual, moral and social good of the people. His life 
has been controlled by proper motives and in his relations with his fellow 
men he has been actuated by the highest ideals, so that among those wh.o 
know him best he is numbered among the community's leading citizens. 



FRANK C. VANNORSDALL. 

The career of Frank C. V^annorsdall has been a strenuous and varied 
one, entitling him to honorable mention among the representative citizens 
of his day and generation. Born in this county, as was his father before 
him, he has been identified with its growth and development for more than 
half a century. i\s a Imsiness man, as a farmer and as a private citizen, he 
has met his CA-ery duty fairly and squarely and earned a reputation for hon- 
est dealing which commends him to his fellow citizens. 

Frank C. Vannorsdall, the son of James and Susanna ( liorney) Van- 
norsdall, was born March 27, 1861, in Jefferson township, where he has 
always made his home. His father was born in this township September 10, 
183 1, and is still living, as is his mother. James R. Vannorsdall and Su- 
sanna Hornev were married September 4, 1853. and were the parents of 
twelve children, Mrs. Clarelda J. Ritenour, Mrs. Lucy A. Fults, Garrett O., 
Frank C, Mary M., James H., Forrest A., Mrs. Lily Straley, Effie F., 
Ernest E., Herbert and Mrs. Flora Williams. b'our of these children, 
Marv M., James H., Forrest A. and Effie E., are deceased. James R. Van- 
norsdall was one of the pioneer settlers of this count} and was actixeh' in- 
terested in the affairs of his township for many }ears. When a }Oung man 
he taught four terms of school and later ser\ed f(^r sexeral consecutive 
terms as trustee of Jefferson township. As a farmer and as a business man 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 52/ 

he has been very successful ;uk1 is uow classed among the substantial farm- 
ers of his township. 

rVank C. X'aunorsdall was educated at Pleasant View, and remained at 
home until he reached his majority, when he married and began renting 
land from his father. He lived on a part of his father's farm for thirteen 
years, after which time he moved to Jeffersonville and engaged in the meat 
business for a time, after which he became interested in the livery business, 
now ha^'ing the only liverv stable in Jeffersonville. In connection with his 
livery stable he handles implements of all kinds, as well as vehicles. He is 
also the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in this township near 
leffersonville, which he rents to responsible tenants, although he maintarins 
careful supervision over his farm. He is recognized as a man of good busi- 
ness ability and by his courteous treatment of his customers and his reputa- 
tion for square dealing has built up a large trade in Jefifersonville and this 
section of the county. 

Mr. Vannorsdall was married October 31, 1883, to Cora Brewer, the 
daughter of David and Martha J. (Shelly) Brewer. He and his wife are 
both loval and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant church, in 
whose welfare they are deeply interested, and to the support of which they 
are liberal contributors. Fraternally, Mr. Vannorsdall belongs to the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows. 



THOMAS M. PALMER. 



Among the farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who have to their credit 
manv long years spent in industriously and intelligently tilling the soil is 
Thomas M. Palmer, of Jefiferson township. He comes of a good family, 
one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for 
moralit^' and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. 
A native of Indiana and a resident of Fayette county since 1867. he has lived 
a clean and wholesome life and well merits the high esteem in which he is 
held by his friends and acquaintances. He has set an excellent example to 
the younger generation, since he has borne his share of the burdens of com- 
munity life and discharged them in a way worthy of the ideal American 
citizen. 

Thomas M. Palmer, the son of Thomas and Maria (Ballard) Palmer, 
was born in Brown county. Indiana, l\Tay to, 1865. His parents were 



528 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

natives of Indiana and settled in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1867. where they 
reared their family of ten children. Arietta, Miranda, Jc^sephine. Thomas AT.. 
Alary, Hartley, Frank, George, William and Har\ey. 

Thomas M. Palmer was two years of age when liis parents removed 
from Indiana to Ohio, and conse(|uentlv received all of his education in 
Fayette county, where tliey settled. His l^oyhoud days were spent in the 
school room during the winter seasons and on his father's farm during the 
summers. He lived at home until he was married and then began to live on 
a rented farm in Jefferson township. He is now renting a fine farm of one 
hundred and seventy-three acres about three and one-half miles north of 
[effersonville, and as a farmer he thoroughly understands e\ery phase of 
agriculture and is classed among the progressi\e farmers of his township. 
He raises such crops as are usually grown in this localit}- and gi\es due atten- 
tion to the raising of live stock. 

Mr. Palmer was married to Alar\- Ulm, the adopted tlaughter of lulward 
Ulm, and to this union have been born six children, Harr\-, \\'ill)ert, Maud, 
Mrs. Mabel Floyd Tracy, Shirley and Floyd. Harry and W'ilbert are de- 
ceased, while the other four are still living. 

The Republican party claims the support of Air. Talmer and ht- always 
takes an intelligent interest in the political issues of the da\-. His only 
official position has been that of a member of the school board of his town- 
ship, in which capacity he is now ser\'ing. T'^raternally, lie is a member of 
the Improved Order of Red Men. 



AF\RT1N KXECHT. 



Any person who will inxestigate the facts in the case will be surprised 
to learn of the great number of people of Germanic nati\it\- and descent now 
living in the United States. Unquestional)ly the greatest number of emi- 
grants coming to this country within the past century have come from that 
nation, and statistics will show that there is more (iermanic blood in the 
United States than any other with the exception of English. This being a 
fact it is easy to account for the prosperity and morality of our country, as 
well as the love of learning shown Iw' the people of this vast nation, (ler- 
many is famous the world over for its remarkable universities, for its edu- 
cated men, for its poets and philosophers, and for the industry, peace, in- 
telligence and sturdiness of its citizens. These cjualities have been brought 



FAYETTE COl"NT>', OHIO. 529 

to this ccuiiitry by the einiu^raiUs and are now part and parcel of our won- 
derful nation. While the igio census shows that there are only forty-eight 
]jeople living in h\iyette county, Ohio, who were horn in (ierniany, yet the 
number of those who are descended from German parentage number hun- 
dreds. One of the prosperous farmers of Jefferson township, who is of 
German descent, is ^lartin Knecht, who is the ])roprietor of three hundred 
and twent}' acres of excellent land in that township near the h^ayette county 
line. 

Martin Knecht, the son of Jacob and Catherine ( (rriesheimer ) Knecht, 
was ])orn December 4, i(S6i. in Chillicothe, Ohio. His parents were natives 
of Germany and married in that country before locating in America. Upon 
coming to this countrv Jacob Knecht and his wife located in Chillicothe, 
where he engaged in agriculture and operated a brewery. b^i\e children 
were born to Jacob Knecht and wife, Jacob, Christine, Catherine, John and 
Martin. Jacob and Christine were born in (Germany and the others in Ross 
county, this state. All of these children are still li\ing with the exception 
of Catherine and Jacob. 

The education of Martin Knecht was received in the schools of Ross 
county, CMiio. .\s a young man he worked in his father's l^rewery and at 
the age of thirty began to farm in Ross county. He continued to reside 
there until 1910, when he sold his farm and purchased his present farm of 
three hundred and twenty acres along the Fayette-Ross county line. He is 
classed among the progressive farmers of the township, and although he 
has been a resident of this county but a few years, yet he has already de- 
monstrated his ability along agricultural lines. Mr. Knecht built his present 
splendid residence, of cement blocks, which is convenient!}- arranged and 
considered one of the best homes in the township. 

Mr. Knecht was married to Elizabeth Uhrig, and to this union have 
been born six children, Martin, Effie, Edna, Clarence, Ollie and Mary. 
Martin married Irene Milligan and has two children. George and Irene; 
Effie is the wdfe of Elmer C. Milligan. and has two children, Josei)h and 
Mabel: Edna became the wife of Charles Hirsch. and is the mother of tive 
children, Louisa, Catherine, Helen, George and Abary. Tlie other three 
children are still unmarried and make their home with their parents. 

Mr. Knecht has given his undivided sup])ort to the Democratic i)arty, 
but owing to his extensive agricultural interests he has never been inclined 
to be active in political matters. Nevertheless, he stands for good govern- 
ment and throws his influence in fa\-or of all measures for the public good.. 
(34) 



530 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

Socialh', he is a nitnil)er of the l^'raternal Order of Eagles. Air. Knecht is 
a man of jovial and genial disposition and has made a host of friends since 
locating in this county. 

Airs. Knecht is a daughter of John and Alary ( Wilhelm ) Uhrig, the 
former born in Germany in ]S^=, and the latter in Ross county, Ohio, in 
1842. Air. L'hrig farmed all his life in Ross county, where both lived, died 
and are buried. He \\as a Democrat in politics and they were Protestant 
in religion. 



CLARENCE WISSLER. 



An enterprising young farmer of Taint township, Eayette county, 
Ohio, is Clarence AVissler, a native of this county and a descendant from 
on^ of the pioneer families of the county. He started out to work for him- 
self when he ^^as only fourteen years of age and has made his own w^ay 
unaided. He is a ceaseless worker and has applied himself with great 
energy to the o|)eration of his farm of one hundred and five acres of land in 
I'aint and ]\ange townships, eighty-five acres being in Range township, 
Aladison county. 

Clarence AVissler, the son of Simon and Anna ( Sechrist ) Wissler, was 
b(jrn in this county Octol)er 7, 1883, and has spent his whole life within the 
limits (if this county. Simon W^issler is the son of Henry and Susan (Neff) 
Wissler and \\as born in Lancaster county, Pennsyhania. He came to Fay- 
ette county, Ohio, when he was twenty-one years of age, remained in this 
county one year and then returned to his native state and brought back his 
father and mother. Air. A\'issler was cnie of the largest landholders of I^'a}- 
ette count}- and was prominentl}' connected with the historv of this countx' 
from 1853 until his death, l)eing the owner of one thousand acres of land. 
Henry Wissler and wife were the parents of se^'en children. Christian, Airs. 
Mary Anderson, Henry, Simon. Airs. Elizabeth Barrett, Elias and one who 
died in infancy. Simon Wissler and wife \\ ere tlie ])arents of eight children. 
Airs. Susie A'ates, Airs. Alice Dixon, Airs. Almira W^att, Ulysses Grant. 
Jesse, Albertus. John and Clarence. 

(/larence \\ issler attended the scho(^ls of Paint township and finished 
his education in the schools of his home district in I^aint township. He left 
>chool whin lie was fourteen years of age to begin working for himself, 
and up(jn his ir.arria^^e, in IQ03, rented land of his mother. He inherited 
fi ft\ -two and one-half acres and boueht fifty-two and one half of excellent 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 53 I 

land in }'aint and Range tDwnships and has since l)een engaged in general 
farming, dividing his attention between the raising of crops and the breeding 
of live stock. In addition to his own farm he rents one hundred and fourteen 
acres adjoining, from his mother, so that he is now tilling two hundred and 
nineteen acres of land. 

Mr. \\"issler was married at the age of twent\- to Ida Stuthard, the 
daughter of Perry and Lavina (Badger) Stuthard. Her father was a nati\e 
of Madison county, Ohio, and was an extensixe land owner. Mr. Stuthard 
and wife reared a family of five children, l^oy. Ida, Essie, Dove and F"ay. 

Politically, ]\Ir. W'issler is identified with the Rei)u1)lican party, l)ut has 
never been active in political matters, preferring to devote all of his atten- 
tion to his agricultural interests. He is still a young man and his success 
thus far indicates a prosperous future for him. He started out with nothing 
and has attained his present position solely through his own unaided ef- 
forts, and is therefore deser\ing of a great deal of credit. 



HENRY WALKER DUFF. 

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an 
intelligent commu.nity is a protracted and honorable residence therein. 
Plenry Walker Duff has resided in Fayette county. Ohio, sixty-five years and 
his career in every respect has been a commendable one and well deserving 
of being perpetuated in the histor}" of his county. -V self-made man and 
dependent upon his ow-n resources from the time he was fourteen years old, 
h'^ has arisen to his present prominence solel}- through his own industry, 
good judgment and wise management, llis farm lands ha\e alwaxs lieen 
well improved and highh- producti\e, being numbered among the best farms 
of Jefferson township. He has always discharged his public and private 
duties honestly and fearlessly and in a spirit which brought him the com- 
mendation of his fellow citizens. 

Henr\ W. Duff, a retired merchant and farmer of Jefferson township, 
w^as born December 26. 1847. ^^ ^he towmship where he is now living. His 
parents, Peter and Sarah (Tanciuary) Duff, were natives of Winchester, 
Virginia, and came to this county shortly after their marriage. The par- 
ents of Peter Duii' never came to Ohio, spending all of their lives in Virginia, 
where the\- were born. To Peter Duff and wife were l)orn ten children: 
Mrs. Racliel Corl)itl, deceased; Mrs. Hannah Price, deceased; Mrs. Rebecca 



532 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Fossett, deceased; Mrs. Mary Counts, deceased: John J., of Jetiersonville. 
Ohio; Ed\vard C. ; Wilhani M., of South Solon; Harvey and Henry W. 

Henry W. Duff attended the Herald and Creamer schools of this county 
until he was fourteen years of age and then began to work out by the 
month in Paint township. At the age of nineteen he began to learn the car- 
penter trade and followed that for a few years, lie then engaged in farm- 
ing with his brother until 1889, when he engaged in the ini])lement business 
in [effersonville. A few years later he disposed of his interest in this busi- 
ness and embarked in the grocery business, following this line of endeavor 
until 1905, when he retired from active work and is now living in the resi- 
(kmcc which he built in 1884. 

Air. Duff was married August 3J, 1870, to Mary Margaret Ann Ilor- 
nev, a daughter of William and Adeline ( Fent ) Horne\-. Mrs. I)uft"s par- 
ents were natives of this county and reared a family of eight children. Clara. 
Mary Margaret Ann, Ollie, Lucy. I^ewis, Fibbie, \vy and James. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Duff ha\'e been born four children; three. Allia. Minnie and Audra. 
are deceased, and Auburn, who is deput}- county treasurer and li\es in 
Washington C. H.. married Mary Parrett. 

Mr. 1 )urt' is ri stanch adherent of the Democratic party, but ha> never 
been an aspirant for anv ])ublic office. He and his famil)' are all loyal and 
faithful meml)ers of the Methodist Protestant church, while, fraternally. 
Mr. Duff is a memlier of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order 
of Odd b'ellows. while his wife is a member of the Rel)ekah l(^(l"'e. 



COF. BAFDWIX PFARTZFFF MIFFIK AX. 

Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens ot bayette 
county within the pages of this work, citizens who ha\e figured in the growth 
and development of this favored community, and whose interests ha\e been 
identified witli its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere 
of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the 
advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number was 
the laie (A)l. B. H. Millikan. — distinguished soldier, successful business man 
and ])ul)lic benefactor, — whose name needs no introduction to the reader. 
His death removed from b~"ayette county — and. indeed, from Oliio — one of 
her most substantial and liighly esteemed citizens and the man\' beautiful 
tributes to his high standing in the world of affairs and as a man and citizen 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 533 

attested to the abiding place he had in the hearts and affections of those who 
knew him and of his work and accompHshments. His eminently honorable 
and successful career was not altogether a path of roses, for he fought against 
and conquered many adverse conditions, which would have discouraged one 
of less sterling mettle. His military record was marked by courage and 
ability of a high order, his business record showed that he possessed sagacity, 
energy and integrity to a pronounced degree, while his philanthropy was of 
that practical kind that is of real permanent value to the common weal. As 
a member of a great and prosperous commercial house he contributed in a 
very dehnite way to the business advancement of Washington C. H. and built 
for himself a monument that perpetuates his name among those who come 
after. 

Col. B. H. Millikan was born in South Bend, Indiana, on the 12th day 
of July. 1842, and was the son of Jesse L. and Margaret (Hartzell) Millikan, 
both of whom were natives of Ohio. Jesse Millikan was reared in Wash- 
ington C. H. and there received his public school education, upon the com- 
pletion of which he took up the study of medicine, to the active practice of 
which he devoted himself until his death, which occurred in 1850. He and 
his wife were Methodists in their religious faith. He was the son of Will- 
iam and Ann Millikan, who also were natives of this state. William Millikan 
was a soldier in the War of 1812 and marched from Cleveland to Chilli- 
cothe, in charge of British prisoners captured with Perry's victory. His 
death occurred at Chillicothe, and his widow survived until well advanced in 
years. They were the parents of four children, William, Jesse, Nathaniel 
and Ann. Colonel Millikan' s maternal grandparents, and Margaret Hart- 
zell, were natives of Germany, who came to the United States and became early 
settlers in Greenville, Ohio. There he lived the remainder of his life and 
died, being survived by his widow, who died in Washington C. H., at an 
advanced age. Their children were Margaret (mother of the subject) and 
Charles. 

To Jesse L. and Margaret (Hartzell) Millikan were born the following 
children: Francis M., of Penryn, California; Miranda, who died, unmar- 
ried; Jared L., deceased; Baldwin Hartzell, the immediate subject of this 
memoir; Vasco, deceased, and Mrs. Margaret Ann Reed, of Florida. 

Colonel Millikan, though a Hoosier by birth, was practically a life- 
long resident of Ohio, having been brought to Washington C. H. by his 
parents when but a child, and here he remained continuously, with the ex- 
ception of the period spent in the military service of his country, up to the 



534 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

time of his death. He received a good practical common school education 
and, while still a youth, began clerking in a store. Soon he was appointed 
•deputy county clerk, which office he was filling when there came to him the 
realization that his country needed his services to assist in the suppression of 
the great Rebellion. On August 20, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
with which command he served faithfully for three }ears, or until the close 
of the war. He took part in some of the most hotly contested engagements 
of that great conflict, including the battles of Chickasaw Baynu, Arkansas 
Post. Thompson's Hill, Champion's Hill, Big Black River, \'icksl)iu-g. (Ira- 
ham's Plantation, Avoyelle's Prairie, Bayou de Glaize, Mobile and b'ort 
Blakely. 

L'pon his return from the army. Colonel Millikan became deputy col- 
lector of internal revenue, holding the position for eight or ten years, and 
then, in partnership with George Meh^in, he engaged in the drygoods busi- 
ness in Washington C. H., which commanded his attention for several years, 
after which he was in the carpet liusiness until 1885. In the year mentioned 
the Colonel became affiliated with the Dahl &: Baer Grocery Company, later 
known as Dahl, Baer & Company, and then as the Dahl-Millikan Company. 
In 1906 the firm was consolidated with the Midland Grt^cery Company. 
Colonel Alillikan becoming treasurer of the affiliated companies, and also 
serving as vice-president of the Dahl-Millikan branch. 

The Dahl-Millikan Grocery Company is one of the l)est known whole- 
sale concerns in Ohio, fifty years of substantial gro\\ th and development 
having expanded its activities from a modest beginning to its present im- 
mense proportions, a success which has been due to the fact that it was 
founded on sound business principles and conducted according to methods 
which have ever been in the van of advanced ideas. The company's fifty 
salesmen now cover practically the entire state of Ohio, representing a busi- 
ness generally recognized as the leader in this territorv. To a very large 
extent the splendid success which attended this great enterprise was due to 
the sound iudgment and indefatigable efforts of Colonel ^fillikan. whose 
splendid abilities were freely conceded by all who had dealings with him or 
knowledge of his work. 

Aside from the business interests referred to, Colonel Millikan was 
identified with business affairs of his home city, in the successful prosecuting 
of which he took a keen interest. Among these should be mentioned the 
Fayette County Bank, of which he was a director, and the Favette County 
Canning Company, of which he was president. The Colonel was also a large 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 535 

land owner, possessing some of the most valuable and extensixe farming 
properties in Fayette county, and these farms were to him a keen source of 
delight. 

Broad gauged in his views of men and things, Colonel Millikan always 
stood ready to identify himself with his fellow citizens in anv good work and 
extend a co-operative hand to advance an\' measure that was calculated to 
better the condition of things in his community, that would give better gov- 
ernment, ele\^ate mankind, insure higher standards of morality and the high- 
est ideals of refined culture. A firm believer in practical education for the 
masses, he was always intensely interested in the schools of his city and for 
many years was a member of the school board. In 1909 he was president 
of the city council and at all times worked for the city's best welfare. 

After the close of the Civil War and he had settled down in active busi- 
ness life, he became aftiliated with the local militia, and later was in com- 
mand of the company which became known as the Millikan Guards. Later 
he was elected lieutenant-colonel and from that time was generally known 
as Colonel Millikan. 

Of the Grand Army of the Republic, Colonel Millikan was a most 
enthusiastic member from the close of the great civil struggle until his death, 
and for a generation he was one of the most influential factors in the R. B. 
Hayes Post, of Washington C. H. He served the post as commander for 
several years and it was largely through his efforts and influence that the 
state encampment of the Grand Army was brought to Washington C. H. in 
1913. The Colonel was ever solicitous for the welfare and comfort of his 
old comrades and performed many acts of kindness in their behalf. In testi- 
mony of their love and esteem for him, the members of the post presented 
a beautiful silver loving cup to him but a short time before his death. One 
of his last services in connection with the Grand Army of the Republic was 
his untiring efforts in the securing of the Memorial hall for this city, and 
later the installation of the l)ronze tablets in commemoration of the Fayette 
heroes of the Rebellion. 

Politically, Colonel Millikan was an earnest supporter of the Republican 
party, though he was in no sense a seeker after publicity and did not take a 
very active part in the campaigns of his party. Fraternally, he was an 
appreciative and appreciated member of the Free and Accepted Masons, being 
affiliated with Fayette Lodge No. 107; Fayette Chapter No. 103, Royal Arch 
Masons, and Garfield Commandery No. 29, Knights Templar. He was also 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and 



536 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Protecti\e Order of Elks. Religiously, Colonel Millikan was a member of 
Grace Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gave generous support. 

On the 30th day of January, 1878, Col. B. H. Millikan was united in 
marriage with Lizzie B. Dahl. who was born in Washington C. H., the 
daughter of George and Ruth ( Bereman) Dahl. She was one of four chil- 
dren, the others being Harris B., Anna Victoria and Ethel. On the paternal 
side, Mrs Millikan was descended from German ancestry, while her maternal 

grandparents were Joel S. and (Thompson) Bereman. To Colonel 

and Mrs. Millikan were born the following children : Ruth M., who is the 
wife of William W. Westerfield, of New Orleans, and they have one daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth Millikan Westerfield. Jesse H. Millikan is identified with the 
interests formerly belonging to his father. The mother of these children 
died in December, 1899, at the age of forty-three years, secure in the love and 
affection of all who were so fortunate as to be numbered among her ac- 
quaintances. 

Colonel B. H. Millikan died, very suddenly, at Columbus, Ohio, on 
March 20, 1914. He had left his home city in the morning of that day, 
apparentlv feeling well and exhibiting the same jovial, cheerful disposition 
which was one of his characteristics, but within a few hours after reaching 
Columbus he felt the touch of the Grim Reaper and Washington's first citizen 
had entered into his long rest. 

The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than Colonel Millikan, 
and in all the relations of life he displayed that consistent Christian spirit, 
that natural worth, that endeared him to all classes. His integrity and 
fidelity were manifested in every relation of life, for he early learned that 
true happiness consisted in ministering to others. He leaves to his family 
the rich memory of an unstained name, and to the city he lo^'ed so well the 
record and example of an honorable and well spent life. 



TRAINE C. KIRK. 



One of the oldest families in the county is the Kirk family, who came 
here nearly one himdred years ago. James Kirk, the first of the family to 
locate in Fayette county, married Nancy Smith in Rockingham county, 
Virginia, and located on Paint creek, in Paint township, about 181 1, a year 
after this county was organized. Thomas Kirk and wife reared a family of 
twelve children, IMadison, Mrs. Jane Stanley, Raburn, Mrs. Charity Sellers, 
Augustus P., James S., Addie, Ward B., Henry, Alice, William and Dora. 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 537 

IJcnry Kirk, the father n\ Trahic C, of this record, was born in a log 
cabin on I'aint crock jnnc 23, 1821, and died in the same room in which he 
was born after a long and useful life in this county. He is now buried at 
VVashingtcn i ". II. Tienr)- Kirk was a man of strong convictions and a 
Democrat of Ih.e Southern school. He firmly resolved never to sit on a jury 
with a negro, and kept that resolution throughout his whole life. At one 
time he was chosen as a jurist, but when he saw that there were already two 
negroes accepted for jury service he refused to serve.* The judge told him 
that he could not excuse him on such grounds and that he must abide by the 
law or be imprisoned. One of the attorneys said the penalty might he made 
a fine and, upon the judge so deciding, Mr. Kirk paid his fine and left the 
court rather than sit in the jury with a negro. He also refused to accept a 
county or township office and upon being elected supervisor at one time 
paid a fine rather than serve. Henry Kirk and wife reared a family of six 
children. Airs. Florence Marshall, Traine C, James E., Georgiana, Willard 
H. and Lucy P. Georgiana is a teacher in the Jeffersonville schools ; Wil- 
lard H. married Lillian Creamer and has one daughter, Adelaide ; Lucy P. 
is the Avife of A. C. Carr. Klmira Parrett, the wife of Henry Kirk, and the 
mother of these six children above mentioned, was the daughter of George 
Parrett. 

Traine C. Kirk was i)(>rn November 24, 1862, on the old Kirk farm, 
two and one-half miles south of Jeffersonville. He was born in the same 
house where his father w'as born in 1821. He attended the Smith school in 
his home neighborhood and later the Roebuck and Walnut Ridge schools. 
He then attended the high school at Jefifersonville, after which he spent one 
year in A'alparaiso LTniversity, at Valparaiso, Indiana. He began farming 
for hiniself at the age of thirty on rented land and a few years later bought 
his present farm of one hundred and three acres on the Welt road near 
Jeffersonville. The farm is highly improved and he has always kept it in a 
high state of ])roductivity by scientific crop rotation and commercial ferti- 
lizers. The farm is known throughout the county as the Poplar Grove 
farm, the name being chosen bv his two sons. 

Mr. Kirk was married May 26. 1896, to Nora P. Eichelberger, the 
daughter of G. M. and Hannah (Coyner) Eichelberger, and to this union 
have been born two sons, Willard C. and Grayson L. 

The Republican party claims the support of Mr. Kirk, but he has never 
been active in political matters. He is an active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Jefifersonville and a trustee of that denomination. He 



538 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and his family have been prominent in all church and Sunday school work 
for se\'eral years. In fact, they actiN-ely identify themselves with all worthy 
movements which have for their end the betterment of the communitv in 
anv wav- 



WILLIAM S. DRAPER. 



Descended from one of the earliest picnieer families of I'avette county. 
Ohio, William S. Draper has inherited all of those sterling characteristics 
which marked his forefathers. The name Draper has long been connected 
with the development and progress of this county, and for a hundred years 
it has been borne by men who have reflected credit upon their county and 
upon their state. The family has filled a large place in the history of this 
county and has been an important factor in the growth and development of 
its various industries and interests. In the course of a long and honorable 
career Mr. Draper has been successful in the manifold lines to which his 
efforts have been directed and, possessing in a marked degree those traits 
which command confidence and regard, he is today honored by all who 
know him and numbered among the representative men of his county. 

William S. Draper, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Paint town- 
ship, was born September 30, 1868, in L^nion township, about twelve miles 
from \\'ashington C. H. He is the son of John and Mar\- ( Baughn) 
Draper, natives of this county. John Draper was born in Washington 
C. H. and was a son of Micajah Draper, one of the first commissioners of 
Fayette county. Micajah Draper was a native of Virginia and located in 
Fayette county in 1810, the same year in which the count}- was organized. 
John Draper and wife were the parents of six children, Mrs. Lucy Umpleby, 
Mrs. Margaret Hays, John M., Mrs. Ida Wade. Charles and William S. 
All of these children except Ida are still living. William S. Dra{)er attended 
the schools of L^nion township for a time and then finished his education at 
the Hidy school in Paint township. His father died before he was grown 
and he then assisted his stepfather on the farm until he was tvvent\--one 
years of age. Upon reaching his majority he hired out to his stepfather, 
receiving fourteen dollars a month for his services. He married at the age 
of twenty-three and at once bought a farm of sixty acres, where he and his 
young bride began their married life. They worked side by side and much 
of the success which Mr. Draper has attained he attributes to his good wife. 
He has added to his land holdings from time to time and is now the owner 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 539 

of one hundred and twenty-five acres of fine land in this township, all of 
which is under a high state of cultivation. 

Air. Draper was married in 1891 to Anna Carper, the daughter of 
L. S. and Louisa ( Brock) Carper, of Greene county, this state, and to this 
union have been born two children, an infant, deceased, and Elza, who 
married Deane Kelly, who manages the home farm for Mr. Draper. 

Politically, Mr. Draj^er is a Democrat and, as a public-spirited citizen, 
has always taken a deep interest in the various political issues which confront 
the American people today. He has never been an aspirant for any public 
office, although he is at present filling the position of school director in his 
township. He has preferred rather to devote his time and energies to his 
farming interests. Mr. Draper is a genial and whole-souled citizen and has 
a host of friends and acquaintances throughout his home township and 
countv. 



LAFAYETTE ECiGLESTOX. 

The Eggleston family, of which Lafayette Eggleston, a prominent 
farmer of Paint township, is a representative, dates their ancestry back to 
colonial times. Bigod Eggleston came over with the Pilgrims in 1630 from 
England and settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, and later when Wareham 
led a number of emigrants to Connecticut he took his family and located at 
Windsor, in that state. He located at Windsor in 1635, ^^'^^ ^i^^l there 
September j, 1674, being more than one hundred years of age at the time of 
his death. He came to this country on the English brig, '"Mary and John." 
He was twice married. By his first marriage he had two sons, James and 
Samuel, the latter becoming the progenitor of the Egglestons re])resented in 
Fayette county. Ohio, today. His second wife was Mar}- Talcott, and to 
his second marriage were born seven children, Thomas, Mar\'. Sarah, 
Abigail, Rebecca, Joseph and Benjamin. 

No less than seven generations inter\ened l)etween the first members. 
Bigod Eggleston and Lafayette Eggleston, with whom this narrative deals. 
The heads of the families in order are as follows : Samuel, the son of Bigod, 
who married Sarah Disl^rough; Samuel, second, who married; Samuel, 
third, who married Patience Paine, July 5, 1703; Samuel, fourth, who mar- 
ried Abigail Berens ; Joseph, who married a Miss Proffer : Arthur, who mar- 
ried a Miss Smiley: Joseph, who married Mary A. Waters, and Lafavette, 
the son of Joseph and Mary Eggleston. 



540 FANI-.TTI-: COUNTY, Olllt) 

Joseph Eggleston, the father of Lafayette, \\as burn near Saratoga 
Springs, in Saratoga county, New York, and was one of the early settlers in 
New I^lymonth, Vinton county. Ohio. Lafayette Eggleston. the second child 
of Joseph and Mary A. (Waters) Eggleston, was born in New Plymouth. 
Ohio, on Christmas day, 1854. His older brother was Alathew J. and the 
younger was James A. He received his early education in Pickaway county, 
and finished his educational training in the Bloomingburg school in this 
county. .After leaving school he secured a position as clerk in a general 
store at Yellemburg, remaining here but a year, when he began teaching- 
school in Ross county, this state, near Andersonville, and continued in this 
line of endeavor until 1875, when he came to Bloomingburg, where he has 
since resided. He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty 
acres near Bloomingburg, which is largely devoted to stock raising. 

Air. Eggleston \vas married April 6, 1876, to Mary C. Boies, the daugh- 
ter of David and Esther R. (Gillespie) Boies. David Boies was the son of 
William and Caroline (Coggesville) Boies, and reared a family of six chil- 
dren, Eli, William, Erskine, Caroline, Dorothy and Jane. Mr. and ]\irs. 
Eggleston are the parents of four children, Dora, Amy B., Esther and Joseph. 

The Republican party has always claimed the loyal support of Mr. 
Eggleston, although he has never been an aspirant for political office or in- 
clined to take an active part in political affairs. He and his family are 
faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Eggleston 
is a man of genial disposition and kindly impulses, a man who has always 
sustained an enviable reputation in the communit}- where he lives. 



WILLIAM WESLEY WILSON. 

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the 
successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The 
man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that 
come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are much the same, 
the surroundings of individuals differing but slightlw and when one man 
passes another on the highway o-f life it is because he has the powder to use 
advantages which ])robably, in the main, encompass the whole human race. 
Today among the prominent citizens, prosperous farmers and successful 
business men of Fayette count}' stands the gentleman whose name forms the 
caption to these paragraphs. The cpialities of keen discrimination, sound 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 54I 

judgtiieiU and executi\e ability enter \er\- largely into his inake-u|) and ha\e 
been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him. 

William W. Wilson, who owns and operates a splendid and well im- 
proved farm in Union township and who is also interested in a prosperous 
fencing and implement l)nsiness in Washington C". H., comes of good old 
\ irginia stock in both the paternal and maternal lines, and exemplifies in 
himself those splendid (jualities which ha\e ever characterized the people of 
the Old Dominion state. He is himself a native of Fayette county, having 
been born in Perry township on August i6, 1857. His parents, James and 
Martha (Simmons) Wilson, were born in Highland county. Ohio, but be- 
came early settlers in b'ayette county, in the pioneer life of which they 
became active factors, b'or a number of }ears after coming to this county 
their home was in f'err}- township, l)Ut in Ajjril, 1877. thev moved to Union 
township, where the father bought a farm of (^ne hundred and thirty- four 
acres, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself. 
Sul)serjuently he located on another farm near ^^'ashington C. H.. where 
his death occurred in 190 1, when past sixty-se\-en years of age. He was a 
man of splendid qualities of character and was an affiliated member of the 
Baptist church. His wido\v, who still survives him, is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. James Wilson was a man of sound business 
judgment and rendered efficient ser\ice as real estate appraiser in 1890 and 
1900. 

The subject's paternal grandparents, William Wesley and Elizabeth 
( Fishback) Wilson, were born and reared in Staunton, \'irginia. Having 
determined to seek a home in the Xew West, they started on the o\erland 
journey to the Indian Reserve in Indiana, but when they reached b^.ast }^Um- 
roe. Highland county, Ohio, one of their horses sickened and died, pre\ent- 
ing their continuing their journey further. They were the parents of fi\e 
children, William, James, Henry, Alfred and Joseph. 

The maternal grandparents of Mr. Wilson were William and Sarah 
( Harber) Simmons, also natives of the state of Virginia, who settled in 
I^ighland county, this state, in an early day and there spent the remainder 
of their lives, dying there when about ninety years of age. Their children 
were Elijah, Oliver. Trusten, Edmund. Sarah, ]\Tary. Martha and Louisa. 

He to whom the following lines are de\oted has spent practically his 
entire life in the county of his nativity, ne\er hax'ing been induced 1:)}' the 
wanderlust spirit to seek richer fields elsewhere, and in this he has shown a 
cc^mmendable judgment, for he has. by perse\'erance. good judgment and 



542 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

indefatigable energy, succeeded in his material affairs, until today he is one 
of the leading men of his community. He is indebted to the district and 
graded township schools for his educational training, which he has liberally 
supplemented through the years by habits of close observation and by ex- 
tensive reading. He was about nineteen years of age w hen the family moved 
from Perry to Union township, and he was reared to manhood on a farm. 
At the time of his marriage. Air. Wilson rented land, and was so successful 
in his vocation that a few years later he was able to purchase thirty-five acres 
in Union township. Jn the management of tliis tract he was also successful 
and has added to his original holdings until today he owns one hundred and 
seventy acres of as good land as can be found in his section of the county, 
the farm being' located about one mile south of Washington C. H. In addi- 
tion to his farming operations, Mr. Wilson is, as stated earlier in this sketch, 
interested in the fence and implement business at \\'ashington C. H., in 
which he has met with well deserved success. He is also a stockholder in the 
Fayette County Bank, one of the strong and popular banks of this county. 

Puliticall}-, Air. Wilson lias been a life-long supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party, and for the long period of twenty-eight years he has rendered 
faithful and appreciated service as a member of the school board. Reli- 
giously, he is, with his wife, an active menil)er of the Methodist Episcopal 
cb.rrch. to ihe support of which they give of their time and means. 

( )n the 27th da}- of October, 1S78, William W. Wilson married Martha 
Swift, who was Ijorn in Highland count}', Ohio, the daughter of W'^illiam and 
Nanc}- (Amos) Swift, the former a nati\e of Ireland, born in Kirkele, 
count\' l)o\\n, Ireland, in iSio. and died in IQ02. In 1818 he voyaged to 
America !>}■ sailing vessel. Xanc}" Amos was born in Highland county, 
Ohio, iloth are now deceased. ( )f the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Swift, iixe are now Ii\-ini4". namel}' : John Wesle} . l^lijah William, Harrison, 
Elizabeth and Marlha. Mrs. Wilson's ])aternal grandfather preceded his 
famih tu ib.is (■ountr^', and was supposed to haA'e been killed by the Indians. 
His widow and children came later, but found no trace of him and they set- 
tled in lYMinsylvania, later coming to Highland county, Ohio, where their 
deaths occurred. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson ha\'e l)een born the following children: Eva 
became the wife of i^. U. AlcC'oy, of LTnion township, and they have three 
children. Will)\', Dorothx' and Helen: Marion, who operates a farm adioin- 
ing that of his father, married Mar}- CaA'inee, and thev have hve children, 
Marjorie. Fdnio. Elizal)eth, Woodrow and Rosaline; Willard, \\ho is in the 
empio}- of his father in tlie fence and implement lousiness, married Blanche 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 543 

.Michael : Kverett and Horatio arc also in the employ of their father. Everett 
was married October 29, 1914, to Wynema Wilson, no relation. 

Thus l)rietiv have been recorded the salient features in the life history of 
one who has, Ijy prcjper motives and a lofty example, honestly won a place in 
the front ranks of b'avette county's citizens, and because of his sterling in- 
tegrity and his efforts for the adxancement of the puublic welfare, has won 
the apj)ro\al of all Avho know him. 



rxEC^RGh: W. McCOY 



rile AlcCoy family has been identitied with the history of Fayette 
count}-, Ohio, for nearh- a century, and during all of these years they have 
performed their share in the development of this favored spot of Ohio. 
George \^'. McCoy, whose history is here presented, has spent his entire life 
of more than sixty years within the limits of this county, consequently he is 
well known among the citizens with whom he has lived. A life of such 
duration spent in one commuinty enables a man's character to be familiar to 
everyone with wliom he has been associated, and the high esteem in which 
INIr. 3>IcL'oy is held by his fellow citizens is indicative of the clean and whole- 
some life which he has lived. 

(ieorge W. McCoy, the son of Patterson and Eliza (Bryant) McCoy, 
was born February 28. 1851, in Wayne township, this county. His father 
was a son of Patterson McCoy, and was born in Union township, this county, 
where his father settled when he came from Virginia in the early history of 
the countw Patterson McCoy was reared, married and spent all of his days 
in this county, and he and his w^ife reared a family of nine children, Nathan. 
Mrs. Clara F>. Kearney, Jackson, George, Jannette, Mrs. Nettie Cline, Mrs. 
Eliza Smith, Ed\yard and Mrs. Armata Smith. All of these children except 
Jackson and Edw-ard are still living. 

( ieorge E. McCoy attended the district school known as the Shady Grove 
school during his boyhood days and helped his father with the work on the 
farm during the summer vacations. At the age of twenty-one he commenced 
renting land from his father and lived on a rented farm until 1896, when he 
felt able to purchase his present farm of fifty acres, on which he has since 
resided. He has engaged in intensive farming with the result that he has 
realized as much each year from his farm as many farmers do from a much 
larger acreage. He is progressi\e in his methods and. being a man of good 



544 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

management, has had the satisfaction of seeini^- his farm yield nmre satis- 
factory retnrns year by year. 

Mr. McCoy was married March 21. 1884, to Lida CHne, the datighter 
of John and Sarah CHne, of Ross county, Ohio, and to this union has been 
born one daughter, Mrs. Blanche Pleyley. 

The Democratic party has claimed the support of Mr. McCoy and its 
candidates have always received his v(^te. ide has always been interested in 
educational affairs and at present is a member of the school board of his 
towmship. Mr. McCoy has always maintained an intelligent interest in the 
welfare of his community and unreservedly given his support to every move- 
ment for the educational, moral or material advancement of his fellow 
citizens. 



ELI MOCK 



One of the pioneer fanners of Jefferson township, Fayette county, 
Ohio, is Eli Mock, who is now^ living in honorable retirement after a strenu- 
ous life of activity in connection with his agricultural pursuits. His fidelity 
to duty has won for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he 
has been thrown in contact, and bv patient continuance in well doing he has 
gradually risen from an humble station to his present standing as one of the 
largest and most substantial farmers of the county. He is one of the thirty- 
nine farmers listed ])v tlie igio census in I'^ayette county as having from 
five hundred to one thousand acres of land, and the possession of such ex- 
tensive land holdings indicate that he has been a man of great energy and 
excellent business qualities. 

Eli Mock, the son of Daniel and Rlizabeth ( Robbins) Mock, was born 
April 30, 1838, in Jeft"erson township, this county. His father was born in 
(ireene county, Ohio, near Xenia, and was a life-long farmer. Daniel Mock 
and wife were the parents of hve children, Mrs. Diana Bargdill. Eli. David, 
Mrs. Margaret Asbery }iloon and A. S. 

Eli yiack received the limited education which was afforded by the 
country schools of his boyhood days, and has supplemented this wdth wide 
reading and close observation during all of his active life. He married at 
the age of twentv-six and 1)egan farming in Jefferson township on a small 
tract of land and has continued in agricultural pursuits for more than half a 
centurv. As he prospered from year to }'ear he added to his and his wife's 
land holdings until at the present time he is the owner of six hundred and 




MR. AND MRS. ELI MOCK 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 545 

forty acres of fine land in Jefferson township, all of which is kept in a highly 
improved manner. He has fine buildings, excellent orchards and every con- 
venience which is demanded by the modern farmer. He is one of the largest 
raisers of grain and live stock in the county, and, although he retired from 
active work several years ago, he still maintains close supervision over his 
large estate. 

Mr. Mock was married December 14, 1865, to Elizabeth Shockley, the 
daughter of Clement and Elizabeth Shockley, and to this union have been 
born three children: Geneva, the wife of McClellan Zimmerman, who has 
four children, Carrie, Emmett, Ruth and Clement; Herbert, who married 
Daisy Allison, of Springfield, Ohio, and they have one child, Glena ; and 
Adelia, deceased. The family are mejnbers of the Methodist Protestant 
church and are active in all church and Sundav school work. 



HOWARD W. LOOKER. 



Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as 
a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of 
energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free, out-of-door 
life of the farmer has a decided tendency to foster and develop that inde- 
pendence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood. No 
better fortune can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature 
in the healthful, inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful 
soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and 
the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distin- 
guished men of letters were born on the farm and are largely indebted to its 
early influences for the distinction which they later attained. 

Howard W. Looker, the son of Levi and Rebecca (Bennett) Looker, 
was born December 14, 1869, in Madison county, Ohio. His parents were 
natives of the same county and reared a family of three children, Byron. 
Howard W. and Laura. Levi Looker was a son of Joseph and Margaret 
(Hann) Looker. Joseph Looker came from Virginia and settled in Clark 
county, Ohio. Seven children were born to Joseph Looker and wife, Joseph, 
Levi, Delilah, Nathan, Angeline, Thomas and Joshua. Levi Looker was a 
prominent citizen of this county and served with distinction in the Civil War 
as a member of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 

(35) 



546 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

H. W. Looker received his education in several different schools of 
Ohio. When seventeen years of age he came to Paint township, in this 
county, with his father. He quit school at the age of nineteen and began 
work on a farm. After his marriage he took up farming for his occupation 
and is classed among the progressive farmers of his township. 

Mr. Looker was married February 9, 1893, to Mamie Tway, the daugh- 
ter of Nathaniel Tway, and to this union have been born five children, Merrill, 
Loren, Nathaniel, Delbert and Lucile. 

Politically, Mr. Looker is identified with the Republican party, but 
owing to his agricultural interests he has never taken an active part in 
political matters. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of F^thias and 
the Patrons of Husbandry, while, religiously, he is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. The career of Mr. Looker contains much that is com- 
mendable, and his life work forcibly illustrates what can be accomplished by 
a man of energy when his plans are rightly laid and his actions governed by 
vight principles and noble aims. 



G. W. FIOLDREN, M. D. 



It is not an easy matter to analyze the forces of character that result 
in a life of apparently tireless energy and a high degree of professional suc- 
cess; the biographer can do little more than note their manifestation in the 
career of the gentleman under consideration. In view of this fact, the life 
of the successful physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name 
appears above affords a striking example of well-defined purpose, with the 
ability to make that purpose serve not only his own ends but the good of his 
fellow men as well. Doctor Holdren holds distinctive prestige in a calling 
which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a 
high order, supplemented by the rigid professional training and thorough 
mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to apply the same, without 
which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. 
In his chosen field of endeavor Doctor Holdren has achieved a notable suc- 
cess and an eminent standing among the medical men of the county. In 
addition to his creditable career in one of the most useful and exacting of 
professions, he has also proved an honorable member of the body politic, 
rising in the confidence and esteem of the public which he gladly serves in 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 547 

every possible manner. In every relation of life he has been true to his ideal 
of manhood and has never resorted to methods which have invited criticism 
or censure. 

George W. Holdren was born in Ross county, this state, on June 24, 
T862, the son of William H. and Mary (Long) Holdren, being one of a 
family of five children. He is the second child in order of birth, but the 
oldest living, the parents having lost one of their children in earliest infancy. 
Martin R. Holdren, another son of the family, is located at Fruitdale, this 
state. His wife was Alma Moon before her marriage and they are the par- 
ents of one child, Emil. William L. is deceased, while Herbert is a photog- 
rapher in Washington C. H. He chose as his wife Stella Dallinger and 
they are the parents of two children, Hazard and Charlotte. William H. 
Holdren, father of the immediate subject, was also born in Ross county, 
where practically his entire life has been passed. His entire life has been 
given over to agricultural pursuits and he has now retired from his strenuous 
labors and both he and his worthy wife are passing their declining years in 
peace and comfort. Doctor Holdren received his earliest education in the 
schools near his home in Ross county, which he attended until his eighteenth 
year, later finishing at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. 
He had fitted himself as a teacher, which vocation he followed for a few 
years . in the schools of his native county. During the latter part .of his 
career as a teacher he read medicine under the tutelage of Dr. J. W. Hughey, 
at that time located at Good Hope. He later took up his residence at Wash- 
ington C. H., where he closed his long and worthy career. After advancing 
as far as he could under the kindly instruction of Doctor Hughey, young 
Holdren attended the Medical College of Ohio, located at Cincinnati, from 
which he was graduated in 1889. Directly after finishing his college career, 
he located in Bloomingburg, where he has since resided and where he has 
won a host of friends. His career has not only been successful from a scien- 
tific standpoint, but he has gained for himself the sincere regard and con- 
fidence of the entire community. Doctor Holdren possesses a sincere and 
broad-minded sympathy with the afflicted and this, combined with an earnest 
desire to help others, at once wins for him the co-operation of his patient 
and his entire confidence. His kindly nature carries comfort and cheer into 
the sick room and this fact has also contributed its quota to the success he 
has won. He 'is also held in highest respect by his brother physicians be- 
cause of his genuine worth and he is a welcome addition to any companv 
which he chooses to enter, for he possesses to an eminent degree those 



548 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

qualities which commend one to the good will of others. Doctor Holdren 
is prominently connected with the various medical societies of the county and 
state, in 191 3, Doctor Holdren was president of the Fayette County Med- 
ical Society. 

Doctor Holdren manifests a commendable interest in political affairs, 
being a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He repre- 
sented his district as senator in the State Legislature, being elected for one 
term, and has also been a member of the school board for a number of 
years. His fraternal affiliation is with the time-honored body of Free and 
Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the degree of Knight Templar, 
holding his membership in the commandery at Washington C. H. He also 
received the Royal Arch degree at the same place. Doctor Holdren is also a 
member of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, and is one of the earnest 
and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bloomingburg. 

Doctor Holdren was married on September 11, 1884, to Jennie Kearney, 
daughter of James and Eleanor (Hays) Kearney, farmers of New Holland, 
lx)th of whom have now passed into the great beyond. To Doctor and Mrs. 
Holdren have been born four children : Floyd, the son of the family, is a 
graduate of the Bloomingburg high school and the Ohio ^^xsleyan Uni- 
versity of Delaware, Ohio. He is at present connected with the high schools 
in Hamilton, this state. His first position was held with the Fort Kearney 
schools, where he remained one year, when he went to Wapakoneta, Ohio, 
for two years and from there to East Liverpool, Ohio, for two years and 
then to his present location. He was prominent in school and college circles 
and is an enthusiastic member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Shirla died in 
infancy. Bernice married George L. Borders, of Belle Center, Ohio. Her 
elementarv education was obtained in the schools of Bloomingburg, where 
she was graduated from the local high school with a post-graduate period 
at Washington C. H. high school. She finished her musical education at 
the Stinson Conservatory of Music, at Washington C. H. and made for her- 
self an enviable name in music circles of this locality. Since her marriage 
they live at New Richmond, Ohio, where her husband is superintendent of 
schools. Pauline, the youngest daughter of the house, is at present attend- 
ing high school. 

The entire family is most highly regarded in the community where so 
manv years have been passed and where each in his particular way is striving 
to better the social, moral and educational life. Doctor Holdren stands high 
in the regard and estimation of his vast number of acquaintances, which is 
but a fitting tribute to his years of unselfish devotion to the cause of humanity. 



Ji-AYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 549 

■'. CHARLES H. PARRETT. 

,, ...Itis a well known fact that public opinion instead of our legislatures 
really rules this country. It was the insistent cry of the public, vpice:d in the 
newspapers of the land, which forced through the last two amendments to 
the Constitution of the I'nited States, and it was this same influence which 
led. iJ'resident Wilson to insist upon a reduction in the tariff and the passage 
of a new monetary bill. Public opinion, however, would be absolutely use- 
le.ss, without, it had the opportunity of expression, and there is no way by 
which public opinion can find its full usefulness except through the medium 
of the newspapers. For this reason it is not too much to sa}' that the news- 
papers of our country are really its rulers ; that they have more power in 
the shaping of the destinies of our nation than Congress itself. Congress 
can do no more than voice the will of the people as revealed in the news- 
papers. According to the returns made in the 1910 census, the state of Ohio 
hacl eleven hundred and eighty-one papers of all kinds, one hundred and 
eighty-four of which were daily papers and six hundred and ninety-nine 
being published weekly. Fayette county boasts of several excellent papers, 
and among them are the IVashington Daily Herald and the ll'cekly Ohio 
State Register, established in 1885 and 1836 respectivel}-. These papers are 
published by the Herald Publishing Company, of which Charles H. Parrett 
has been the secretary and treasurer for the ])ast four years. 

Charles H. Parrett, the son of Cvrus R. and Sarah Flizal)eth Parrett. 
was born on September 8, 1872, in the city where he has spent his whole 
career. His parents were both natives of this county, and were the parents 
of a family of seven children, five of whom lived to maturity. Cyrus R. 
Parrett was reared as a bound-out boy and received only a limited education. 
At the opening of the Civil War he enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Indiana 
Volunteer Cavalry, and served three years as a private. After the close of 
the war he returned to Fayette county, and for se\eral years conducted a 
restaurant and boarding house in Washington C. H. Later he followed the 
carpenter trade and did considerable contracting in the county. His parents 
were Pleasant Parrett and wife, pioneer settlers of this county, and they had 
a family of three children, Charles H., Harmon E., and Cyrus R., the father 
of Charles H. Parrett, with whom this narrative deals. Pleas^mt Parrett 
died several years before his wife and she married again, having two children 
by her second marriage. 

Charles H. Parrett has lived all of his life in this cit\'. He receixed a 



550 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

good ecHication and, after leaving school, assisted his father in carpentering. 
However, he wished to become a printer and entered one of the newspaper 
olfices of Washington C. H. and learned the trade of a printer. By the time 
he was twenty years of age he was a practical printer and for the |)ast twenty- 
two vears has been actively identified with the printing business in this city. 
On August 6, 1910, he was made the secretary-treasurer of the company in 
recognition of his ability and integrity. This company pu1)lishes two papers, 
the Daily Herald, which is independent in politics, and the Weekly Ohio 
State Register, which is Democratic. In addition to the publication of these 
two newspapers, the company does a large amount of job printing and de- 
rives no small part of its annual income from this source. 

Mr. Parrett was married August 28, 1894, to Daisy Lininger, the 
a(l(jpted daughter of John and Catherine '(Popejoy) Lininger, and to this 
union have been born three children, Ruth Margaret, Bessie Pearl and Mice 
[uiid. Mrs. Parrett was born near Danville, Indiana, and when a small girl 
\\as adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Lininger, who gave her all the care and atten- 
tion possible and educated her so that she is a fitting helpmate for her hus- 
l)and. Mr. and Mrs. Parrett are both members of the Methodist l^pisroj)al 
chnrcii, as are their daughters. 



CHARLES WISSLER. 



One of the prosperous farmers of Paint township, Payette cnuuiy. Ohio, 
is Charles Wissler, who. without being favored by inherited wealth or the 
assistance of influential friends, has attained a comfortable place in life and 
is well and favorably known throughout the county Vvhere he was born. He 
has reached his success by the observance of those qualities of industry and 
economy which always characterize the successful man. \s a result of his 
industrious life he is regarded by all who know him as a man of the best tyi>e 
of American citizenship, straightforward, genial and obliging, who, while 
advancing his individual interests, has never neglected his general duties as a 
citizen of the commonwealth. 

Charles Wissler, the .son of Christian and k^liza (Core) Wissler, was 
born July 8, 1868, on the old Wissler homestead in Paint township. He at- 
tended the schools of his home neighl)orhood during the winter seasons and 
assisted his father with the work on the farm during his summer vacations. 
He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, 



FAYKTTK COIXTV. OHIO. 



5b' 



and then l>egan working for himself. At the age of twenty-rive he was 
married and at once located on his present farm of one hnndred and thirty 
acres about five miles from Bloomingburg. He carries on a general system 
of farming, paying particular attention to the breeding and raising of hogs. 
His farm is well improved and under his skillful management is yielding a 
handsome return each year. 

Mr. Wissler was married October 27, 1893, to Mary Shotts, the daugh- 
ter of Rufus C. and Magdalene (Sailer) Shotts, and to this union has been 
born one son, Harry C, who is now attending school. Mrs. VVissler's father 
was a native of Ross county and now^ lives in Sedalia. this state. Five chil- 
dren were born to Rufus C. Shotts and wife: Mary, William F., lulward S., 
Florence B. and Rufus. 

Politically, Mr. Wissler is a Republican and, although taking an intelli- 
gent interest in the great political issues of the day. yet he has confined his 
energies to the development of his agricultural interests. He and his family 
are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
liberal contributors to the support of their favored denomination. 



TOHN H. PETERS. 



Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character ha\e 
gained for them a prominent place in the community and the respect and 
confidence of their fellow citizens, there is no one more worthy of mention 
in this volume than John H. Peters, of Paint township. A leading farmer 
and stock raiser of the township in which he resides, and a man of decided 
views and laudable ambitions, his influence has always been exerted for the 
benefit of his fellow citizens and the general wefare of his community. With 
few opportunities except those which his own efforts were capable of master- 
ing and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptional 
success in life and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the 
community in wdiich he has resided has been benefited ]:)y his presence and 
counsel. 

John H. Peters, the son of Daniel and Mary C. (Haw4<ins) Peters, was 
born x\pril 30, 1844, in the Shenandoah valley. Virginia. Daniel Peters was 
the son of Daniel and Christina (Fansler) Peters, natives also of Virginia. 
Daniel Peters, Sr., came to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1823. where he lived 
the remainder of his life. Daniel Peters, Jr., and wife were the parents of 



2^2 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

seven children, Ellen, Sarah F., John H., Reuben A., x^mahda, Austin S. 
and William. Ellen died unmarried; Sarah F. became the wife of Abraham 
Mowery, and has four children, Charles, Amanda, Bess and Ida; Reuben A. 
married Kate Sheets and has three children, Charles, Daniel R. and Minnie; 
Amanda married Noah Zirkle and has four children, Charles, Fannie, Clara 
and Jane; Austin S. married Frances Sheets and has three children, Hugh, 
Rose and Gertrude; William M. married Martha Saum. and has two children. 

John H. Peters was educated in Virginia and, although he was only 
seventeen years of age when the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Con- 
federate army and served three years. He was mustered in as a member of 
Company K, Twelfth Regiment Virginia Cavalry, and served under (ien. 
T. E. B. Stewart, his colonel being Asher W. Harmon. He was captured at 
Culpeper, Virginia,' and was held a prisoner of war at Point Lookout, Mary- 
land, and Elmira, New York, but was exchanged and rejoined his regiment, 
being finally discharged at Richmond, Virginia. 

After the close of the war Mr. Peters went to Licking county, Ohio, and 
for the first three years worked Ijy the month. He saved his earnings, 
bought a team and began farming for himself. After his marriage he came 
to Fayette county and located in Paint township, where he bought a small 
farm. As he prospered he added to his land holdings until he is now the 
owner of one hundred and seventy acres of fine farming land on the Bloom- 
ingburg and Sedalia pike. He has so managed his farm as to secure maxi- 
nium results from his efforts, and by dividing his attention between the rais- 
ing of crops and live stock he has attained a very comfortable competence 
for his declining years. 

Mr. Peters was married March 8, 1877, to Nancy J. Green, the daugh- 
ter of Louis and Elizabeth ( Alkire) Green. Her father was a minister of 
the Christian church and was a native of Greene county, Ohio. Louis Green 
and wife were the parents of six children, Mary, Nancv ].. Thomas, J. W.. 
Lucinda and George. Mary 1)ecame the wife of John Salmon; Thomas 
married Sarah flidy, now deceased, and has two children, Emma and Ernest; 
J. W. married Jennie P]ostwick, and has two sons, George W. and Ross; 
Lucinda became the wife of W. R. Thomas and has four children. I larry, 
Evan. Bessie and William, deceased ; (.George married Mary Brock and has 
three children, Jessie, Leslie and Margaret. 

Politically, Mr. Peters has been a life-long Democrat in politics, but has 
never felt inclined ti) take an active part in political matters. He and his 
family are consistent members of the Christian church, in whose welfare 
the\' ]ia\e lontj l)een interested. 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. ' 553 

WILLIAM S. PARKER. 

The name of William S. Parker is one familiar to the residents of Paint 
township, Fayette county, Ohio, as that of a hard-working, neighborly and 
accommodating farmer, wdiose time and toil spent in the cultivation of his 
fertile farm have brought him prosperity and a competence. He lives on his 
excellent farm of four hundred and sixty-five acres located on the Midway 
road, about three miles from Bloomingburg, and on this farm he has passed 
his entire life, having been born on August 2S, i860, in one of the log and 
frame houses now standing. He is the only child of Robert and Margaret 
(Selsor) Parker, the former of whom w^as born on November 28, 1828, on 
the state land near Bloomingburg. Pie was a son of John and Mary (White- 
man ) Parker. John was a nati\'e of Virginia and when a young man came 
from his home in Hampshire, that state, to this locality. He had left his family 
in Virginia, to remain there until he found a suitable location. This he 
found in the tract where Robert, father of tlie immediate subject, was born. 
He was there for a short time, when he purchased the land and brought his 
family on from the East. John Parker was one of the best educated and 
most influential men of his day in this section and to the pioneer life of this 
localitv brought many of the finer customs of life as found in that older 
section of our countrv and which added a much needed charm to the almost 
sordid life of the pioneer. 

William S. Parker received his elementary education in the Larimer 
school of Paint township, taking the more advanced grades at the Bloom- 
ingburg high school. From his earliest boyhood he assisted the father in 
the duties of the homestead and when quite a young man was skilled in the 
science of agriculture and stock raising. Mr. Parker's farm is considered 
one of the best managed in this sectioTi and in every department it testifies 
l)y a])pearances to the thought and care expended on it. Aside from general 
farming, Mr. Parker gives considerable time to live stock, and in this line of 
agricultural work he is eminently successful. 

On January 8, 1891, Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Eva 
Creath. daughter of William A. and Mary E. (McCafferty) Creath. and in 
view of the fact that he was the only child of his parents he brought his 
bride to his father's house, where the four lived happily until separated by 
death. The father died in Tgo8 and the mother in |8<)J, both being laid to 
rest in Bloomingburg cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born 
three children, the eldest of wdiom, Robert C, is now eighteen years old and 



554 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



a graduate of Washington high school. Selsor graduated from Blooming- 
burg high school and Kathleen, the youngest of the family, is now attending 
school at the latter place. All are promising young people, much admired 
and respected by the circles in which they move. Mr. and Mrs. Parker and 
their children are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and give 
earnest attention to the spiritual verities of life, contributing liberally of their 
means to the support of all religious and benevolent movements. In fact, 
they are regarded as among the leading citizens of this section, whose sup- 
port can be counted on for anything which tends to upbuild the moral, social 
or educational life of their fellow men. Mr. Parker's political affiliation is 
with the Republican party, although he has never been active in such circles. 



CHARLES YORE. 



.Among those in this part of the state who ha\e Iniilt u|) a highly credit- 
able reputation and have distinguished themselves l)y right and honorable 
living, is the subject of this brief sketch. His prominence in the aft'airs of 
the community is conceded and his deeds will speak for themselves. .\ tried 
and true old saving is "Actions speak louder than words" and with this 
thought in mind it can I)e safely said that the life of the subject of this sketch 
]>roclaims to the world what manner of man he is. 

Charles Yore, one of the most thorough and |)ainstaking farmers of this 
section, residing on a rented farm of two hundred and twenty-three acres in 
Paint township, not far from Bloomingburg, was born on January 26. 
1855, at Dover Plains in the state of New York, being a son of Bernard 
and Charlotte (Thompson) Yore. Bernard was a native of England and 
both in his native country and after locating in the eastern part of our 
country he followed agriculture as a \-ocation. In search of 1)etter oppor- 
tunities than the East afforded, he emigrated westward about sixty years 
ago, .settling in Paint townshi]j. His death occurred in 1862 and he lies 
buried in the old cemetery at Bloomingburg. He was the father of four 
children, the immediate subject 1)eing the third child of the family. Thomas 
was the eldest, James, the second, and John W.. the fourth. When a young 
Iwv, the subject attended what is now known as the A\'illis school, an old 
educational landmark known in those da}'s as the Larrimer school. Here 
he acquired such education as the schools of that time afforded, and assisted 
in the work of the home farm during all of his spare time. Early becom- 



lAVKTTE COrNTV, OHIO. 555 

ing interested in the work about a farm, he decided upon agiicullure as his 
life vocation and has been a prominent farmer oi this secti(jn ever since. 
He pos.ses.ses energy and executive abihty to a marked degree and this, 
coupled with his honesty and integrity, has placed him amongst the foremost 
citizens of this ccmimunity. He engages in general farming, paying par- 
ticular- attention to the raising of live stock, which he finds the most lucrati\e 
line of his vocation and in which he is markedly successful. 

On December 2y. 1888, Mr. Yore was united in marriage with Emma 
Hutson, a daughter of (leorge and Amanda (V'arner) Hutson, the former 
of whom was born in Columbiana county, this state. The latter vears of his 
life were spent in Modoc, Indiana, where his death occurred and where he 
was buried, while his widow makes her home in Muncie, that state. They 
were the parents of eight children, Mrs. Yore being the third child of the 
family. The others are John, Ella, George (deceased), Charles, Maggie, 
Oscar and Lula. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Yore is w^ithout issue and 
in the kindness of their hearts they have taken a little child to rear. Although 
not legally adopted, this little child, Viola Coe, is l^eing carefully reared and 
trained in all that makes for a life of useful womanhood. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Yore are earnest meml>ers of the Methodist Episcopal church and are 
prominent in the affairs of that society, being well known to a large circle of 
friends and highly respected by all who ha\'c the pleasure of their acquaint- 
ance. Mr. Yore fully appreciates the value of good citizenship and gladly 
does all within his power to raise still higher the standard of community ex- 
cellence in every phase. 



JACOB WRIGHT 



A prominent farmer of Fayette county, who passed away more than half 
a century ago, was Jacob Wright, whose daughter is still living in this county 
at the advanced age of seventy-six. Jacob Wright was a typical pioneer and 
a man who exerted much influence in the comtnunit}- where he lived for so 
many years. 

Jacob Wright was born on October 2, t8o8, and died in Fa^■ette countv. 
Ohio, April 12, 1862. His father. Jacob Wright, was a native of Frederick 
county, Virginia, and first settled in Ohio on Sugar creek in this countv. 
Later Jacob Wright, Sr., moved to the old Herr farm in Jefiferson township. 
and bought this farm of one hundred acres on which he lived until his death. 



■556 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

Jacob Wright, Sr., was educated in Frederick county, Virginia, "and was a 
life-long farmer, although he carried on blacksmithing to some extent in con- 
nection with his farm work. . . / . 
' Jacob Wright, Jr., Was married to Susannah Mason, who was born in 
1 797,' and to this union two children were born, Joseph and Mary j. Joseph 
was born April 6, 1836, and married Martha Sherritt, and they were the par- 
ents of five children, John, Ella, Mary J., Martha and Esther. 

Mary J. Wright was born March 28, 1838, and was first married to 
Joseph Maxwell, and by this union has one son, Joseph B. Joseph B. was 
married to Louisa Berry, and had a family of five children, John, George, 
Clarence. Chester and Forrest. Joseph B. Maxwell was educated in the 
schools of Fayette county, and is now a prominent farmer in Arkansas. 

The first husband of Marv J. Wright died in 1862, and some time later 
she was married to Jacob Everett, who died March 12. 1881. There were 
no children bv her second marriage. Since the death of her husband in 1881, 
Mrs. Everett has been managing her farm and has sliow n marked^ ability in 
operating it. She and her father were consistent members of the Baptist 
church, and she has always taken an active interest in the affairs of her 
denomination. Her father was a member of the first county survey of Fay- 
ette count^'. She has se\enty-five acres of land, which is well improved and 
which she rents. 



JAMES HOMER HUTSON. 

One of the most successful of the vounger farmers of Fayette county is 
J. H. Hutson, of Paint township, who started in at the foot of the ladder and 
by his own indomitable energy and good management has accumulated a fine 
farm of two hundred and thirt}'-two acres. He is entitled to great credit 
for the success to which he has attained, since it is due solely to his own 
efforts. The self-made man always appreciates his wealth more than the man 
who gets his wealth by inheritance and is usually more careful in taking care 
of it. While Mr. Hutson has been laying up a comfortable competence for 
himself and family he has not neglected to take his full share of the burdens 
of community life, and thus well merits a place among the representative 
men of his count}'. 

James ?1. Hutson. the son of Riifus and Emma (Vesey) Hutson. was 
born on the old Vesey farm in Paint township, February 15, 1880. His 
father was Ijoni in the same township and was the son of Trenton R. and 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 557 

Mary (Blessing) Hutson. T. R. Hutson was also a native of this county, 
his father corning to this county :^rom England. Rufus Hutson and wife 
were the parents of three sons, James H., Edward and Frank. 

J. H. Hutson attended the Larrimer school, now known as the Willis 
school, the Klever school and finally attended one year at the high school at 
Jeffersonville. He remained at home until his marriage in 1904 and then 
began farming for himself on his mother's farm. Shortly after his marriage 
he bought a farm of fifty-one and a fourth acres and, with this as a nucleus, 
has become one of the substantial farmers of his township. He was soon in 
a position to add eighty acres to his original holding and one hundred acres 
which was inherited by Mrs. Hutson, making two hundred and thirty-two 
acres. He understands crop rotation and is thus able to keep his farm to the 
highest state of productivity. He raises good crops e\ery year and has been 
equally successful as a breeder of high class live stock. 

Mr. Hutson w-as married October 12, 1904, to Lola Smith, the daughter 
of Eli and Minerva (Parrett) Smith. Eli Smith was born in Paint town- 
ship and is now living a retired life after accumulating a farm of seven hun- 
dred acres. Three daughters and one son were born to Eli Smith and wife: 
Rella, the wife of George Straley ; Alberta, the wife of Abraham Blessing; 
Herman, and Lola, the wife of Mr. Hutson. 

Politically, Mr. Hutson is an independent voter, preferring to cast his 
vote for the best men irrespective of their political affiliation. There are 
large numbers of our best citizens who are breaking away from the old 
parties and voting for men rather than for eagles, roosters and moose. The 
Methodist Episcopal church claims the hearty support of Mr. Hutson and 
his wife. 



TEPTHA H. GOSSARD. 



There are many excellent farmers in Paint township, but none more de- 
serving of mention in this volume than Jeptha H. Gossard, one of the gallant 
old veterans of the Civil War and a man who has been faithful to every trust 
which has been imposed upon him. Although he was only thirteen years of 
age when the war opened, he enlisted as soon as he was old enough and the 
county sent no braver soldier to the front. When this sixteen-year-old lad 
shouldered his musket and marched into battle, as he did several times, he 
ne\er wavered, but pressed forward with his regiment and bore his share of 



558 I'-AYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the fighting. We can not pay too much honor to these men who fought for 
the emancipation of the black man and at the same time for the preservation 
of the Union. 

Jeptha H. Gossard, the son of James and Catherine (Messmore) Goss- 
ard, was born July 5, 1847, in Madison county, Ohio. His father was the 
son of James and Catherine (Miller) Gossard and was born in Ross county, 
Ohio, his parents coming to this state from Greenbrier county. Virginia. The 
grandparents of Jeptha are buried at London, Ohio. The father of Jeptha 
H. Gossard located in Madison county, Ohio, when a young man and learned 
the shoemaker's trade in Midway and Danville. He farmed in addition to 
following his trade as a shoemaker and owned a good farm in Madison county. 
Eleven children were born to James and Catherine (Messmore) Gossard: 
George, Jeptha, Samuel, Marion. William, James, Earl. Theodore, Ida and 
two who died in infancy. The mother of these children died in Champaign 
county, Illinois. 

The education of Jeptha H. Gossard was acquired in the schools of Mid- 
way and Newport, Ohio. He learned the shoemaker's trade with his father 
and followed that until he enlisted in the Civil War. He enlisted in Company 
C, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
and served until the close of the war. His regiment was attached to the 
Army of the Cumberland and saw hard service in the South. He was mus- 
tered out at Camp Bradford, Maryland, and at once returned home. He 
worked out by the month until he was married and then bought his present 
farm in Paint township, where he has since resided. 

Mr. Gossard has been married three times. His first wife was Josephine 
Slinker and she and two children born to the marriage are deceased. After 
the death of his first wife Mr. Gossard married Delia Horney and to this sec- 
ond union three children were born, Pearl (deceased), Ida (deceased), and 
Thaddie, who married Charles Lowrey and has three children, Harry (de- 
ceased). Margaret and Dorothy. After the death of his second wife, Mr. 
Gossard married Elizabeth Vesey, the daughter of Burton and Rachel 
(Bushong) Vesey, and to the third marriage three children were l>orn. Cath- 
erine, Verne and Burton. 

Fraternally. Mr. Gossard is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. 
He has been a life-long Republican and served on the school board of his 
township for several years. Such, in brief, is the interesting career of a man 
who is held in high esteem by e\ery one who knows him. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 559 

SAMUEL VAN PELT. 

The fanning profession has been revolutionized within the last fifty 
years, and the farmer of today knows few of the disadvantages which sur- 
rounded the pioneer farmers of Ohio. Scores of inventions have been put on 
the market which enable the farmer to lead a life of ease as compared with 
the arduous labors which his father had to undergo. The result is that an 
ever-increasing number of our best young men are remaining on the farm in 
preference to seeking their fortunes in the city. Ohio is known throughout 
the length and breadth of this country as one of the best agricultural states 
of the Union, and Fayette county ranks with the best farming sections of the 
state. 

Samuel Van Pelt, a prosperous farmer of Paint tow^nship. was born 
May 28, 1848, in Highland county, Ohio, and is a son of Ellis and Nancy 
(Holliday) Van Pelt. Ellis Van Pelt was a son of Isaac and Sarah Van 
Pelt, while Isaac Van" Pelt w^as the son of Jacob and Sarah (Ryan) Van 
Pelt. The father of Jacob Van Pelt came from the Netherlands and landed 
in New York, later settling in Loudoun county, Virginia, where Jacob was 
born. The Van Pelts went from Virginia to Pennsylvania, and Isaac Van 
Pelt was born in the latter state, later settling in Belmont county, Ohio, 
where Ellis, the father of Samuel, was born. Ellis Van Pelt came from Bel- 
mont county, Ohio, to Fayette county in i860, and settled in Paint township. 
Ellis Van Pelt and wafe were the parents of nine children, Sarah, John, Sam- 
uel, Amos, Mary Jane, Joseph, Elizabeth, Charles and Hettie. All of these 
children are deceased except Samuel, Joseph, Hettie and John. 

Samuel Van Pelt received part of his education in Highland county 
and, since he was only twelve years of age when his parents moved to Fay- 
ttte county, he completed his education in this county. After finishing the 
course in the Bloomingburg schools, he attended the Normal School at Leb- 
anon, Ohio, for one year, and then went to Bloomington, Illinois, where he 
was in school for a time. After leaving college he returned to Fayette county 
and began farming with his father. LIpon his marriage, in 1872, he moved 
to his present farm of fifty-five acres in Paint township, where he has since 
resided. 

Mr. Van Pelt was married on September 4, 1872. to Amanda Morris, 
ihe daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris, and to this union were 
born five children, Stella. Lula (died in infancy). Verna. Zeda and Ethel. 
Stella, who died in January, 1906, was the wife of Joseph Allemeng and left 



560 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

two children, Bernice and Mary ; Verna is the wife of Dr. A. R. Core and 
has one daughter, Ercell; Zeda married David Whiteside and has one son, 
Robert; Ethel is the wife of Alva Skinner and has one daughter, Aileen. 

Mr. Van Pelt is a Republican in politics and has always been interested 
in local affairs. He was a trustee in his township for several years and has 
been a member of the school board for the past thirty-two years, having held 
this position longer than any man in the township. He and his family are 
loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose welfare they 
take a deep interest and to whose support they are liberal contributors. 



SAMUEL MORGAN CORBITT. 

Though more than a score of years have elapsed since Samuel Morgan 
Corbitt was transferred from the life militant to the life triumphant, his per- 
sonality still remains fresh in the memory of his many friends in Fayette 
county, where for many years he was regarded as one of the leading citizens. 
He was well known throughout this county and was a man respected and 
honored, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but be- 
cause of his daily life. He set an excellent example to the younger genera- 
tion, for he was a leader in his locality in all matters pertaining to its up- 
building and in a conservative manner did what good he could in all lines as 
he labored for his own advancement and that of his family. While advanc- 
ing his individual interests he never lost sight of his obligations to the com- 
munity in general and during his entire life held a high place in the con- 
fidence and esteem of all who kne^^■ him. 

The late Samuel Morgan Corbitt was born in Fayette county. Ohio, April 
5, 1844, and died on the farm where he was born, August 30, 1891. He was 
the son of Samuel K. and Catherine (Jenkins) Corbitt. Samuel Corbitt, 
Sr., was seventeen years of age when he came to Fayette county, his parents 
having died when he was a mere child. He grew to manhood in this county, 
married and reared a family of five children, William Hickling, Mrs. Ruth 
A. Calhoun, Mattison W.. Oliver K., and Samuel Morgan, with whom this 
narrative deals. 

Samuel Morgan Corbitt received his education in the schools of Jeffer- 
son township and finished at the high school at Jeffersonville, after which he 
took a business course in the Miami Commercial College at Dayton, Ohio, 
when he returned to this county and took up the occupation of farming, which 




SAMUEL M. CORBITT 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 561 

he followed until his death. He was a man of tine business ability, keenly 
interested in everything ])ertaining to the welfare of his community, and 
was justly regarded as one of the most progressive farmers of the county. 
At the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and sixty-four 
acres of tine land, on which he had modern Iniildings of all kinds. 

Mr. Corbitt was married, November 13, 18O6, to Mary E. Rowand, the 
daughter of Benijah and Martha (Correll) Rowand, and to this union were 
born five children : Jessie Mildred, the wife of P. L. Rodgers ; Laura Vivian, 
who is married to Lewis Bates and has two children, Mary Lucile and Mor- 
gan Willard; Minnie Kee, the deceased wife of Charles Wilt; Lola B., de- 
ceased, and Roxa LeClare, who is still living with her mother. 

Politically. Mr. Corbitt was a Democrat and, while never taking an 
active part in pohtical matters, always took an intelligent interest in the civic 
life of his communit) . For many years he served on the school board of his 
township and in that capacity always cast his influence for every measure 
which he felt would benefit the schools in an}^ waw He buih up a reputation 
as an honest, upright and fearless business man and left a record which 
stamps him as a man of high ideals and sound moral ])rinciples. Though 
never animated by great ambitions for public honors, yet he always gave his 
aid to the furtherance of the general interests of his commtmity. His life 
was a busy one and his every-day afTairs made heavy demands upon his time, 
yet he never shrank from his duties as a citizen and his obligations to his 
neighbors and friends. 



ENNTS STEVENS. 



For many years Ennis Stevens has been the manager of the Willis estate 
of six hundred acres, knovvai as the Maplewood Stock Farm, and in this 
capacity has demonstrated his right to be classed among the most progressive 
farmers of the county. His whole life has been de\^oted to agricultural pur- 
suits and, being a man of good business ability and boundless energy, he has 
made a pronounced success of the work to wliich he has devoted his life thus 
far. 

Ennis Stevens, the son of John and Louisa (Landes) Stevens, was born 
June 9, 1870, in Llighland county, Ohio. His father was a nati\e of Penn- 
sylvania and moved when a small boy with his parents to Highland county, 
Ohio. In that county John Stevens grew to manhood, married and reared a 
(36) 



562 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

large family of cliiklren. Temperance, Scott, Levi, Steward, Caroline (de- 
ceased), Mock, Mary, Alfred, Jennie, Minta (deceased), and Ennis. with 
whom this narrati\e deals. The father of these eleven children died several 
years ago and the mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-eight. 

The education of Knnis Stevens was received in the schools of High- 
land county. Before he reached his majorit}- he started to work out h)' the 
month and. being a man who made a study of farming, gradually became 
thoroughly accjuainted with every detail of agriculture. After his marriage 
he began farnhng in Fayette count\- and assumed charge of the Alaplewood 
Stock Farm, where he has since remained. He is one of the nu^st extensive 
stock raisers of the count\ and markets se\eral car loads each year. 

Air. Stevens was married December 26, t8q2, to l^dora Roush, the daugh- 
ter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Lemons) Roush. The mother of Mrs. Stevens 
died when Ivfrs. Stevens was only six days old and she was then taken and 
reared by her grandmother, Mrs. Lucinda (Shaffer) Roush.. Joshua Roush 
is still li\ ing in Highland county. Mr. and Mrs. Stexens are the parents of 
four children, I\thel (deceased), Leland, (Jerald and Orin. 

b'raternalh , .Mr. Stexens belongs to the Modern Woodmen of .\merica. 
Tolitically, he is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, but has been so 
engrossed with his heavy agricultural interests that he has not had the time 
to take an acti\'e part in political affairs. He and his wife are consistent 
members of the (Christian church, in whose welfare they are interested and to 
whost,' sui)i)ort the\- are liberal contributors. 



URBAN \V. CAN.XOX. 

One of the mo>t interesting things about the Lnited States census of 
itjio is the statistical history of agriculture. Here ma}- be found a wide 
\ariet\ of information regarding every phase of farming. For instance, it 
is shown that the \alue of the 1 ,(S4() farms in Fayette count)' a\'erages $14,494 
per farm, \vith an average \alue for each acre of $84.93. ^^^^ average acre- 
age per farm is 135 acres, with 112 farms ha\ing from three to nine acres 
and fort\-three farms having more than 500 acres. The interesting fact is 
set forth that 1,080 farmers operate their own farms, while others than the 
owners manage the remaining 746. .\.n insight into the financial standing 
of the farmers o])crating their own farms is disclosed by the statement that 
718 farms are free from mortgage. 354 are encumbered with mortgages, while 



FAYETTE COL^NTY, OHIO. 563 

ei^^'ht made no report. It would pa)- e\erv farmer to get hold of these vahi- 
able stati.stics and make a careful ^tu(l\' <>f them since he would thus get into 
close touch with the growth of his county's agricultural property. One of 
the wide awake and successful farmers of h\ayette count\' is l^rban W. ("an- 
non, of Paint township, whose interesting career is here briefly set forth. 

Urban W. Cannon, tlie son of Levin W. and Jane (Cockerill) Cannon, 
was born April 30, 1850, in Adams count}-, Ohio. The Cannon family were 
one of the most prominent families in .\dams countv, Curtis Cannon, the 
grandfather of l>ban W\, being a hotel proprietor. A brother of Jane 
Cockerill, Col. J. R. Cockerill. had a national reputation as a representative 
from Adams county and a ])rominent attorney and soldier, ('olonel Cockerill 
had a son. John, who was one of the leading newspaper men of Ohio for man\' 
years and died in I'^gypt while doing newspai)er work in that C(juntry. There 
were six children born to Le\in Al. Cannon and wife: Annabel (deceased), 
Esther (deceased), Crban W., Mrs. Anna Hamilton, Daniel C. and Airs. 
Florence Hughes. 

The education of Urban W. Cannon was recei\ed in the schools of 
Locust Grove, Ohio. He remained at home until his marriage at the age of 
twenty and then began to rent land in Adams count}-. He came to Fayette 
county in 1880 as manager of an estate of six hundred acres and proved to be 
a very successful farmer. In the nineties he bought his present farm of one 
hundred and eight acres about three and a half miles east of Jeffersonville in 
Paint township. He keejjs his farm to a high state of productixitv by scien- 
tific crop rotation and raises all of the crops of the section of the state. He 
always keeps as much live stock on his farm as he can feed from his own 
farm and adds not a little to his annual income from the sale of live stock. 

Mr. Cannon was married December 26. 1870, to Amanda McNeil, the 
daughter of Joseph and Susan ( Aiorrow ) AlcXeil. Both of Mrs. Cannon's 
parents are deceased and buried in the i^'all Creek cemetery in Highland 
count}', Ohio. To this union there were born hxe children. Curtis, Susan, 
John C, Harry, and Joseph, deceased. 1die first wife of Mr. Cannon died 
and in December, 1912, he married Mrs. Bertha (Hirin^s) Mergler, the 
widow of Joseph Mergler. Mrs. Cannon had one son l\v her nTsrrmarriage, 
Rowe, a resident of Greenville, Ohio. 

Mr. Cannon is a Democrat of decided ])rogressive inclinations and had 
always taken a deep interest in political afifairs. He has served on the school 
l)oard of his township. The whole career of Mr. Cannon has been such that 
he has won the heart}- approbation of his fellow citizens and is held in high 
esteem ])\ all who k'uow him. 



::;64 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

JACOB A. WEYER. 

It requires something more than mere labor to make a success of agri- 
culture at the present time. A farmer might work from dawn to twilight in 
the year and yet fail to accomplish much. There must he sound judgment 
and discretion exercised at the same time, and the farmer must have a knowl- 
edge of his soils, grains, live stock and many other things if he wishes to make 
a success of general farming. Fifty years ago the idea of ])utting a course of 
farming in our public schools and colleges would have been laughed at, and 
derided even, but at the present time agriculture is being taught in all of the 
states of the Union. Farming" has risen in dignity and the man who accom- 
plishes much as a tiller of the soil today should be accorded a place along with 
the men who succeed in other walks of life. It actually requires as technical 
an education for a man to l)e a successful farmer today as for a man to be a 
successful physician or lawyer, and the sooner the farmers of the country hud 
this fact out, the l^etter for the agricultural interests. 

Jacob A. Weyer, one of the most |)rosperous farmers of Paint township, 
h'ayette county, Ohio, was born December 5, 1850, in Highland count)', this 
state. He is a son of William Henry Harrison and Huldah ( West) Weyer. 
the father from Pennsyhania and the mother from Highland county, Ohio. 
Mrs. William Henry Harrison Weyer was the daughter of John and Harljara 
(Platter) West, and located in Highland county, Ohio, where she was born. 
The subject's father was a life-long farmer and at the time of his death was 
the owner of five hundred acres of fine land in Highland ccninty. William 
H. H. Weyer and ^\ife were the parents of nine children, James, William, 
Mrs. Mary Epperson, Anna R. Hill, Jacob A., Daniel, Ella, Isabella and 
Albert. All of these children are still living except Mary and Albert. 

Jacob A. Weyer was educated in the schools of Highland county and 
completed his educational training at Hillsboro, the county seat of that county. 
He worked on the farm in Highland county until twenty-eight \ears old and 
then came to Fayette county, where he has since resided. He is now the 
owner of one hundred and ninety-three acres of land along the Danville pike 
about two miles north of Bloomingburg, where he has been living many years. 
As a farmer he ranks with the most progressive of the count\- and has alwavs 
kejjt pace with the latest developments in agriculture, adding new machinerv 
as it was Ijrought into the marlcet and otherwise increasing the efficiencv of, 
his work. 

Mr. W'eyer vas married in 1877 t(^ l^^rankie r)untain. the daughter of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 565 

James and Melissa (Evans) Buntain, and to this union have been born six 
children: Maud, the wife of Dr. E. O. Irvin, who has two children, Dorothy 
and Starling; Jane, unmarried; Minnie, the wife of Charles McClimans, who 
has one daughter, Cornelia; Mrs. Nina Junk, who has one son, Ralph; Frank, 
unmarried, and Mary. 

The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and are greatly 
interested in the welfare of their denomination. Politically, Mr. Weyer is a 
member of the Progressive party, having become identified with that party 
upon its organization in 1912. He was for several years a member of the 
school board of his township, and in that capacity did everything he could for 
the benefit of the schools of his township. 



LEWIS HAMILTON PARRETT. 

There is no life so free and independent as that which the farmer leads. 
It is one of the gratifying signs of the times that there are so many of our 
colleges teaching agriculture and preparing our young men for scientific agri- 
culture. Fayette county has some of the most progressive farmers of the 
state and few counties have a larger acreage under cultivation. 

Lewis H. Parrett, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Harper) Parrett, 
was born December i, 1847, ^^ Jefferson township, Fayette county. Joseph 
was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and was the son of Isaac Parrett, 
the first of the family to settle in Ohio. Isaac had four children, John, Henry, 
Joseph and Christine. Joseph Parrett was eleven years of age when his par- 
ents settled in Ross county, Ohio, and about fifteen when they permanentlv 
located in Fayette county. He grew to manhood in this county and married 
Elizabeth Harper. Five children were born to Joseph Parrett and wife : 
Mrs. Emily J. Saum, James M., Joseph M., Christine K. and Lewis Hamilton, 
with whom this narrative deals. All of these children except Christine and 
Lewis H, are deceased. 

Lewis H. Parrett attended the Black Oak school house in Jefferson town- 
ship and early in life began to help with the work on his father's farm. When 
he married in 1873 he moved to one of his father's farms, three miles south 
of Washington C. H. and remained there for three years. He then bought 
part of his present farm, to which he later added until now he has three hun- 
dred and forty acres in Paint township which he has brought to a high state 
of cultivation. 



g66 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Air. Tarrett was niarricnl I'ebrnary 27, 1873, to Mattic Kerr, the (lau_i;h- 
tcr of Robert R. and AJargaret ( AEcElroy) Kerr. Robert Kerr was born in 
Ross county, Obio, near ("ireenfield. wdiere he lived all his life. Mr. Kerr and 
\\ife reared a faniih- of five children, Elizabeth, Tames, I'jiinia. Mattie. 
Chalmers, and three others died in infancy. 

There have been four children born to Air. and Mrs. Parrett, Inez, Bessie, 
Harry 1). and \ilee. Inez married h>3rd Ir^•in and has two daughters. Louise 
and Alartha. iSessie i.s the wife of Professor Westhafer, of .\niherst College, 
Massachusetts, and has one son, ivobert L. : Plarry married Alice Tway, w^hile 
Ailee is still in college. All the children ha\c had the l)est of educational 
a(hantages and are filling useful places in society. 

Politicall}', Air. Parrett is a member of the Republican party and always 
takes an intelligent interest in the civic life of his communit}'. In the past 
he has served as school director of his townshij) and ga\e his hearty support 
to all measures proposed for tbe benefit of the schools. The famih- are all 
members of the Alethodist Episcopal church and active workers in all church 
and Sabbath school work. Air. Parrett has ])een the suj>erintendent of the 
Sabbath school for the past seventeen years and his wife is a teacher. The 
whole life of Air. Parrett has been that of a high minded and |)ublic spirited 
citizen and all of his actions ha\e been such as to bring him the beartv com- 
mendation of his fellow citizens. 



FRANK E. AVHITESIDE. 



h^or many years an instructor of youth in b'ayette count)', Ohio, and the 
present postmaster of Bloomingburg, Frank E. Whiteside has made his influ- 
ence for good apparent in the li\es of many of the vounger generation through- 
out the county and has long been regarded as a public-spirited citizen whose 
influence could lie counted on for whatex'er v'enture had as its ultimate object 
the betterment of the moral, social or educational status of the communit}". 

b rank I'.. Whiteside is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been 
born in Madison county, near Alount Sterling, on August 21. 1876, the son of 
James and Catherine ( ( Kiay ) Whiteside. James v,-as also a native of this 
state, born in Pickaway countv near nar1)vville, where he received his educa- 
tion and grew to maturity. He has always followed the vocation of farming, 
prospering therein and becoming a considerable land owner, lie at (jne time 
owned a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Paint township, this county, 



FAYETTE COl'XTV. OHIO. 567 

which he has (hsposed of and now h\cs in (|uict retirement in lUoominohuri^'. 
Special honor is chie fames Whiteside in that he was one of those loyal sons 
of the Union who went to the front during the dark days of the Civil War 
and was one of that \ictorious army which preserved the integrity of the 
nation. He enlisted for service in .\ngnst, 1862. with a numher of other men 
in and ahoiit Circleville, becoming a i)ri\ate in Companv A, One Hundred 
and F(mrteenth C^hio \^olunteer Infantry, and was immediatel}' marched to 
the front, where his regiment saw three years of service. A peculiar incident 
is that he was woinided on the last day of his service, having been in many 
engagements pre\-iously without receiving a single scratch. After receiving 
his honorable discharge, he returned to Fayette county, being employed by the 
month in work on various farms. In 1866 he was united in marriage with 
Catherine Quay, their union being blessed with seven children, Allen, John, 
James, Creighton, Clara. Frank E.. the immediate subject of this sketch, and 
Charles. 

Frank E. Whiteside received his elementary education in the schools of 
Paint township, near his home, first entering in 1883. After advancing as 
far in his studies as was at that time possible in that neighborhood, he attended 
high school in Bloomingburg for two years. He received his higher educa- 
tion and special training in teaching at the Ohio Northern University, at Ada. 
and the Wooster Uni\'ersity. After completing his studies in these various 
halls of learning, he was well equipped for imparting instruction to the young 
and for thirteen years was connected with various schools of Fayette county. 
He served two terms, or six years, as school examiner of his county. The 
successful school teacher needs to possess far more than merelv a good educa- 
tion. There must be a full understanding and sym])athy with vouth and its 
\arious ])rol)lems. a natural leadership and a ne\er- failing, but unostentatious, 
intluence in the direction of high and worthy moti\es. The influence of such 
a teacher is far-reaching in its effects and he can point with pride to useful 
voung li\'es \\hich have developed under his care and tutelage. The esteem 
in which Mr. \\'hiteside is held throughout the county marks him as one who 
has done well in his chosen vocation. On Januar^■ i(\ 1911, Mr. Whiteside 
received .from President Taft the appointment to the postmastership of 
Bloomingburg and is retaining same under the rules of the civil service com- 
mission. 

On April zy, 1910, Mr. Wliiteside was united in marriage with Inez 
Pinkerton. daughter of H. A. and Mary E. ( Rodgers) Pinkerton. being their 
only child. H. A. Pinkerton was born and raised in Paint township, receiving 



^68 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

his education in this locahty and has the enviable record of having taught 
school for thirty-five consecutive years. To Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside has 
been born one child. Margaret Eloise, who is now two years old and a promis- 
ing little daughter. Mr. Whiteside's fraternal affiliations are with the time- 
honored bodv of Free and Accepted Masons and both he and his wife are 
members of the Eastern Star, the woman's auxiliary of Masonry. He is also 
a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. 
While not directly associated with any particular church, both Mr. and Mrs. 
WHiiteside are interested in the work of all and give such assistance as they 
find possible. He is a man of genial temperament who makes friends readily, 
his relations with his acquaintances being of a most congenial order. He is 
well known all over Fayette county and enjoys a well-deserved popularity 
among his fellow citizens. 



L. ERVIN PARRETT. 



The respect which should always be accorded to the brave sons of the 
North who left their homes and peaceful pursuits to give their services and 
their lives, if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American Union, is cer- 
tainly due to L. Ervin Parrett, to a brief review of whose life the historian 
now addresses himself. Although a mere lad of eighteen at the time of his 
enlistment, yet he was not to be daunted and on the long and tiresome marches, 
in all kinds of situations, he proved his love and loyalty to his government. 
Too much honor cannot be given to those boys in blue who were exposed to 
the summer's withering sun and the winter's freezing cold, who walked the 
lonely picket line, a target for the unseen foe, and fought on the field of flame 
without a thought of their own dangers. 

L. Ervin Parrett, the son of A. F. and Caroline (Hess) Parrett, was 
born in Paint township, F^ayette county, Ohio, August 22, 1844. His father 
was the son of John and Catherine (Windle) Parrett, and was born in Jeffer- 
son township. John Parrett came to Fayette county about the year 181 1, the 
year after the county was organized. John Parrett and his wife are buried 
on the farm where he first located on the banks of Paint creek. A. F. Parrett 
was one of the most substantial farmers of the county during his day and 
reared a family of four children, Melissa, Ella. Mrs. Indey Van Pelt, and L. 
Ervin, with whom this narrative deals. 

L. Ervin Parrett was reared on the farm in Paint township, attended 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 569 

the district schools of his neighhorhood during the short winter sessions and 
spent his summer vacations on his father's farm, assisting with the farm work. 
At the age of eighteen he enHsted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty- 
eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served during the remainder 
of the Civil War. His regiment, commanded by Col. Conrad Garris, partici- 
pated in many of the hard- fought battles of that memorable struggle and won 
a gallant name for itself. Immediately after the close of the war he returned 
to peaceful pursuits in his home county. He at once took up agricultural pur- 
suits and for nearly half a century has been engaged in farming in Paint town- 
ship. His farm of four hundred acres, known as the Wildwood farm, is well 
improved and is one of the most attractive farms of the county. 

Mr. Parrett was married to Jennie Hays on the 25th day of March, 1888, 
and to this union has been born one daughter, Faith, who married Homer 
Miller, and has two children, Irvin and Marjorie. Mr. Parrett's fraternal 
associations are confined to John Bell Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at 
Washington C. H., to which he has belonged for many years. 



JAMES W. DUFFEE. 



It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of 
one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of pur- 
pose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecu- 
tive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both 
lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and 
destinies are still matters for the future to determine. James W. Duffee is 
distinctively one of the representative business men of Washington C. H., 
where for forty-five years he has been recognized as a merchant whose deal- 
ings were ever "on the square" and who has ahvays enjoyed to a notable 
degree the respect and confidence of all who have had dealings with him. 

James W. Duffee was born in Hocking county, Ohio, on January 17, 
1845. K's parents were Charles and Lucinda (Tumbleson) Duffee, natives, 
respectively, of Meigs county, Ohio, and Virginia. They were the parents 
of one child besides the subject, George W., who came to his death by murder 
in 1913. Charles Duffee was the son of Daniel and Margaret (Donahoe) 
Duffee, who were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Meigs county, 
Ohio, their deaths occurring in Hocking Valley when about sixty-four years 
old. Tlie\- had ciHit children, Rarne\-. fackson, Rdward, Leander, \\\^slev. 



Z^yO FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

Charles, Margaret and Mary. Charles Duffee followed the vocation of farm- 
ing until thirtv-two years of age, \\hen he engaged in the shoe business at 
Washington C. H.. and a few years later retired from that line and engaged 
in the grocery business, which commanded his attention until his death, which 
occurred in J 805. when about seventy-thrt-e years of age. His wife had died 
at the early age of twenty-five years. They were Methodists in their religious 
belief and were God-fearing and earnest people. Charles DufTee was a veteran 
of the Civil War, having enlisted early in the conflict in the I'irst Regiment 
Ohio Ca\alry, with which he served al)out seventeen months. !t was he who. 
as orderly for General Smith, carried the order to (ieneral Porter to move his 
troops from the second battle held of P)ull Run. He was marshal of Wash- 
ington C. H. for two or three terms when it was a village. The subject's 
maternal grandparents, William and Lucinda ( Campliell ) Tumbleson, were 
natives of Virginia. They became early settlers in Hocking county, Ohio, 
and died there. Their children were six in number, John. Thomas, Lucinda, 
Maria, Lucretia, Mary. 

James W. Duffee was brought by his parents to Washington C. H. when 
but thirteen }ears of age and in the public schools of this city he secured a 
good practical education. At the outbreak of the Civil War, though he was 
not yet sixteen years of age, he enlisted as a member of Company C, Sixtieth 
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. George B. (iardner. After 
serving about one year, he was captured at Harper's Ferry, l)ut was soon 
paroled and was later discharged from the service at Chicago. Mr. Duffee 
then returned to Washington C. H. and applied himself to the trade of shoe- 
making, which \ocation he followed about ten years. He tiien entered into 
a partnership with his father and opened a shoe store, which they ran for 
about se\'en years, but at the end of that time they disposed of the shoe busi- 
ness and engaged in the grocery lousiness. This enterprise met w ith success 
from the start and Mr. Duff'ee has continued uninterruptedly to the present 
time, having conducted business in one room for thirty-eight years. He has 
during all this time enjo^-ed his full share of the local ])atronage, due to his 
courteous treatment of his customers and his earnest eff'orts to please all who 
enter his store. He is a good manager, thoroughly understands the demands 
of his trade and caters carefully thereto, with the result that be is numbered 
among the most successful of W^ashington's business men. 

On the 1 6th day of May, 1868, Mr. Duffee was married to Frances 
Wendle, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and the daughter of Daniel and 
Margaret (Rupright) Wendle. To this union have been born three children. 



FAYETTE COl'NTV, OHIO. 57I 

(iracie. Alari^aretta and a son who died in infancy. Mrs. Duffee's parents 
were natives of Baxaria, (iermany, who emigrated to the I'nited States and 
became early settlers of Columbus, Ohio, though later they moved to Wash- 
ington C H., where the}- both died. Thev had seven children, P'rances. l^eter, 
William, Daniel, Theodore. Allie and Clara. 

In their religions belief, Mr. and Mrs. Duffee are members of the Presby- 
terian church. Fraternally, he belongs to Fayette Lodge No. 107. Free and 
Accepted Masons; to Fa}'ette Chapter Xo. 103; Royal Arch Masons, and to 
John M. Bell Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he is a Demo- 
crat and has taken an active part in public affairs, having ser\ ed for nine 
years as a member of the school board and doing much effective wt^rk in the 
cause of education. He is also a trustee of the Memorial Hall and was for 
some years a member of the board of tax commissioners and one of the sink- 
ing fund trustees. He has at all times had the welfare of the communitv at 
heart and has given his support to many movements for the general uplift. 
He has also helped in a material way and is a hea\\' stockholder in the F"avette 
Canning Company, of which he is president. 

Next to the oldest merchant in Washington C. H.. in point of continuous 
service, Mr. Duffee has, by an active, public-spirited and progressive attitude, 
long been numbered among the influential men of his communit}- and he is 
eminently deser\-ing of the high standing which he enjoys. A wide reader 
and keen observer of men and events, he is keenly ali\e to the great issues of 
the day and his opinions and advice are held in high regard by those who are 
close to him. Of genial and kindly dis])nsition he has won a host of warm 
and loval friends. 



O. WADE CRFATH. 



The biographies of the representati\e men of a county bring to light 
manv hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to 
arouse the pride of their families and of the community, and it is a source of 
regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such 
men, in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teach- 
ers, as well as lawvers. physicians, bankers and members of other vocations 
and professions. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the lead- 
ing citizens of the township in which he lives, and as such has made his in- 
fluence felt among his fellowmen and earned a name for enterprise, integrit}- 



572 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this 
volume. 

O. Wade Creath, present mayor of the village of Bloomingburg, Ohio, 
and manager of the Home Telephone Company of that place, was born on 
November i8, 1870, in Aladison county, near Mount Sterling, on the old 
Creath homestead, where his father also was born and raised. He is the son 
of William Allen Creath. a short sketch of whose career will be found else- 
where in this volume. His mother was Mary E. McCafferty, who is deceased. 
William Allen Creath, who is a life-long farmer, is now living in retirement. 
The subject is one of a family of four children, being the third child in order 
of birth. Eva, the oldest of the family, is Mrs. William Parker and resides 
near Bloomingburg. Minnie is the wife of Dr. J. E. Holmes, of Columbus, 
while Clarence, the youngest of the family, practices dentistry in St. Paul. 
Minnesota. His wife before her marriage was Alene Schrader and they have 
one child, Willard. 

Mr. Creath received his elementary education in the schools of Bloom- 
ingburg, later receiving the more advanced grades at Wooster, this state. 
After completing his studies at that point, he for a time attended the uni- 
versity at Ann Arbor, Michigan. He returned to Bloomingburg, where for 
a time he was connected w^ith a general store and then at the outbreak of 
hostilities between our nation and Spain he enlisted for service with Coinpany 
D, Eighth Regiment, Ohio -Volunteer Infantry, going from Wooster. He 
saw active service and was at Santiago, Culja, at its fall, .\fter the close of 
the war he returned here and some time later became interested in telephone 
service. He was instrumental largely in bringing the telephone service of 
the county up to its present high state of efficiency and for some time has been 
manager of the Home Telephone Company. Mr. Creath's political afifiliation 
is with the Republican party and on that ticket he was, in November, 191 1, 
elected to the office of mayor of Bloomingburg, and again elected in Novem- 
ber. 1913, which position he fills with efficiency at the present time. He has 
for manv vears taken an active part in the politics oi this locality and is re- 
garded as one of the best workers of his party. His religious affiliation is 
with the Presbyterian church, to which he gives loyal support. Mr. Creath 
is a man of energv and laudable ambitions, as witnessed In' the fact that he 
is at ])resent reading law with a view to completing his studies begun at Ann 
.\rbor some vears back. In this endeavor he bids fair to attain a gratifying 
degree of success for, aside from his unswerving integrity and courteous man- 
ner, he possesses a quiet finuness which will serve him wel! in his chosen 
vocation. Practicalh' Mr. Creath's entire life has leen i)assed in this localit\- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 573 

and throughout the years he has been true to every trust imposed in him of 
whatsoever nature. He possesses a kindly and genial disposition, is a pleas- 
ing companion and readilv makes friends. He is well informed on a wide 
range of topics and with his native ability and the determination he has to rise 
still further on the ladder of success, he bids fair in the years to come to place 
himself still further in the forefront of Favette county's leading: citizens. 



]^^R,\NK L. PARRETT. 



Among the citizens of Fayette county. Ohio, who have built up com- 
fortable homes and surrounded themselves with valuable personal property 
few have atttained a greater degree of success than Frank L. Parrett, the 
owner of one thousand acres of land in this county. With few opportunities 
except what his own efforts were capable of mastering, and with many diffi- 
culties and discouragements to overcome, he has achieved an exceptional suc- 
cess in life and is one of the four farmers of this county who own one thou- 
sand or more acres of land. He has always been regarded as a good busi- 
ness man, an excellent manager and a man who w^as thoroughly in touch with 
all of the latest agricultural methods. He has always enjoyed the respect and 
esteem of those who knew him for his friendly manner, his interest in public 
affairs and his upright mode of life, and is regarded b}' those who know him 
as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of the county, in whose ad\'ance- 
ment and growth he has always taken a prominent part. 

Frank L. Parrett, son of Capt. T. F. and Mary (Greenlee) Parrett, was 
born November 2. 1864, on the Sugar Creek farm in Jefferson townshij), this 
county. As a boy he attended the public schools of his township during the 
winter seasons and worked on his father's farm during the summers. At 
the age of eighteen he commenced farming for himself by renting land and 
later bought one hundred acres, which formed the nucleus of his present ex- 
tensive land holdings. He has always been an extensive stock raiser and par- 
ticularly successful in the raising of Belgian horses and Shorthorn cattle. As 
he has prospered he has added to his original acreage until he is now the 
owner of one thousand acres in this county located about six miles north of 
Washington C. H. on the Prairie pike. 

Mr. Parrett was married March 25, 1886, to vStella Briggs, the daughter 
of Abner and Catherine (Johnson) Briggs, and to this union has been born 
one child, who died in infancv. 



574 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Politically, Mr. Parrett is a Republican, and has always l)een interested 
particularly in local politics. He has served on the school board of Paint 
township and in this capacit}' fa\'ore(l every measure which he felt would 
benefit the schrx^ls of the township in any way. 



TOSIAH HOPKINS. 



The l)est title one can establish to the high antl generous esteem of an 
intelligent comniunitx" is a jjrotracted and honorable residence therein. The 
late Josiah Hopkins, one of the best known and most highh- esteemed men 
of Fayette county, resided here practically all his life, and his career was a 
most commendal:)k one in every respect, well deser\-ing of Iteing ])er))etuated 
in the annals of his county. Like his sterling father before him, he was a man 
of well defined purpose and ne\'er failed to carry to successful completion 
any work or enterprise to which he addressed himself and during his lifetime 
contributed in a definite wa_\' to the general growth of b'ayette county. 

bjsiah Hopkins was a natne of Fayette county, lia\ing l)een born near 
the i)resent Fair\iew church, on the Cincinnati, Hannlton & Dayton railroad, 
on the 7th da)' of Octo1)er, 1^3^, and died at ins home in Washington C. H., 
April 14, 1^14. His parents, Jeremiah and Xancy ( Claypool ) Hopkins, 
were nati\es of Pennsvlvania and, w ith the desire to benefit their financial con- 
dition, the) , in an earl}' day, mo\ed w ith the title of emigration westward and 
became j)ioneer sellers oi Fayette comity, Ohio, wheer the}' si)ent the rest of 
their days. Jeremiah Hojikins followed the \'ocation of farming, in which he 
was successful, and was a strong and sturd}' figure in the early days of the 
communit} . His death occurred at Washington C 11. in 1875, in the sixty- 
ninth year of his age. lie was surxixed a niunber of }'ears b}' his widow, 
who died Jul}' 31, iStji, ha\ing been born Ma} 17. 1S07. Thev were faithful 
and earnest meiubers of the Wesleyan Methodist church and, because of their 
consistent and u])right lives, the}' enjoyed the esteem of the entire community. 
The} were the ])arents of thirteen children, of which number eleven grew to 
maturitx', namel} : .Mar}' Jane, deceased, was the wife of Cyrus Hegler; 
.Sarah, deceased, wa> the wife of Julius liicknell ; Washington, who lix'es near 
I'ddorado .S])rings, .Missouri: Josiah, the immediate subject of this review; 
Max id. of Washington C. II.: kdijah, of Hot Springs, .\rkansas; Nancy M., 
wife of Josei)h lieattx'. of Washington C. H.: IMioebe. xvife of All>ert Peter- 
son, of JMankfort, Ross county, Ohio; Harriett Ann, wife of George Hamil- 
ton, of I'lorida: ( )range Scott, who was a soldier in the Civil War and died 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. =^y=, 

from disease eoiUracted therein; Frank, deceased, and two who died in 
infanc}'. 

The suhjeet's paternal grandparents. Moses and Marcey ( Kirkendall ) 
Hopkins, were natives of Pennsyh'ania and eventually became pioneer settlers 
of Ross County, Ohio, where they died when well advanced in age. They 
reared a number of children. Mr. Hopkins" maternal grandparents likewise 
came from Penns\hania to Ross county in an early day and there spent the 
remainder of their lives, rearing" several children. 

bxsiah llo])kins was reared on his father's farm and his early education 
was recei\ed in the typical log-cabin subscription school of that period, slab 
seats and greased-paper windows indicating the st}'le of the furnishings. 
Afterward Mr. Hopkins had the advantage of one term's attendance in the 
high schoe)l at l-'rankfort and a similar period in the high school at Green- 
held. He remained in the paternal home until he had attained his majority, 
he and his brothers giving their father assistance on the farm, while during 
their leisure periods tliey were permitted to work for their neighbors and to 
retain such money as was earned in this way. Subsequently, Mr. Hopkins 
came to Washington C H. and for a short time was employed as a clerk in 
the general store of (ieorge Melvin and Thomas Wallace. Then for two or 
three years he worked on the home farm, at the end of which period, in 
1S5-. lie married and then engaged in farming on his own account. For 
two }ears he rented a part of his father's farm and, carefully managing his 
resources, he was then enabled to buy a farm of two hundred acres in Madi- 
son county, where he lived for five years, that being the only time when he 
ever resided outside of his native county. Returning then to Fayette county, 
Mr. Ho])kins bought a little more than three hundred acres of land situated on 
the Washuigton and Circleville turnpike, about five miles east of W^ashington 
C. H.. to the improxement and cultivation of which he devoted himself and 
there he reared his family. Through his hard and consecutive efTorts and 
good management, he was pnjsperous and from time to time bought addi- 
tional land until e\entuall}' he owaied eight hundred and fifty acres of splendid 
and well ini])ro\ ed land. This land he divided among his children by deeds, 
and after the children were grown he quit the farm and mo\ed to W^ashing- 
ton, where l^e bought and remodeled an attractive and comfortable home and 
there he resided until his death. Mr. Hopkins was successful in the acquisi- 
tion of a comfortable share of this world's goods and was numbered among 
the solid and substantial citizens of the county. He was a stockholder and 
vice-president of the Midland National Bank, of Washington C. H., one of 
the solid and iuHuential financial institutions of Fa^•ette countv. Tn the larger 



t^yd FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

life of the coninuinity Air. Hopkins always took an intelligent interest and his 
support was always given to those things w^hich have promised to be of the 
greatest benefit to the people generally. 

Politically, Mr. Hopkins was always aligned with the Republican party, 
which ticket he usually voted, though he was not blindly partisan in the sense 
that he saw no good in other parties or in other candidates. Religiously, he 
was a member of the Methodist Kpiscopal church and gave his support to the 
various activities of that society. 

On December 24, 1857, Josiah Hopkins was united in marriage to Sarah 
Elizabeth Rogers, who was born about six miles east of Washington C. H., 
the daughter of David and Mary (Jennings) Rogers. Her parents were 
natives of Pennsylvania, but came to P^ayette county many years ago and here 
spent the rest of their lives, the father dying here when eighty-three years of 
age and the mother about sixty. They were the parents of six children, 
Sarah, John, Benjamin, Alexander, Ruth and Ellen. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins were born five children, namely : Eva Jose- 
phine is the wife of Jerome Penn (deceased July 4, 1904), of Washingtou C. 
H., and they have two sons, Erret (deceased) and Ralph; .\ustin Franklin 
married Margaret Edwards and they ha\e a son, Ed\\ards ; O. Scott married 
Elsie Willis; Stella Ruth married Walter Hamilton and they are the parents 
of a son, Frank. The mother of these children passed to the jjetter life in 
May, 1905, in the sixt>-ninth \ear of her age. She was a woman of rare 
personal qualities and greatly esteemed 1)y all who knew her. 

By a life consistent in moti\e and action, Air. Hopkins earned the sincere 
regard of all who knew him and he was rightfully numbered among that ener- 
getic and enterprising class that has made this favored section one of the most 
noted and richest in the great Buckeye state. 



JOEL A. ALLEN. 



One of the pioneer farmers of this county is Joel A. Allen, whose career 
of seventy-five years has all been spent within the limits of Fayette county. 
He is now living in retirement after a strenuous life of activity which covered 
considerably more than half a century. His well directed efiforts in the 
practical affairs of life, his capable management of his interests and his sound 
judgment have brought to him a very satisfactory competence for his declin- 
ing years. He served with distinction during the dark days of the Civil 




MR. AND MRS. JOEL A. ALLEN 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 577 

War and "was probably at the front longer than any man who enlisted from 
Fayette county. Too much honor can not be accorded the men who faced 
every danger and death itself upon the battlefields of the Civil War and bore 
suffering an^l made sacrifices for their country's sake. 

Joel A. Allen, the son of Adam and Rosanna (Hidy) Allen, was born 
August 7, 1839, ^^ the township where he has lived most of his life, having 
spent nineteen years in Greene and Clinton counties. Ohio. His father was 
also born in this same township and was a prominent farmer and land owner. 
Adam Allen lived all of his life in this county with the exception of a few 
years when he lived in Madison and Clinton counties, this state. His de- 
clining years were spent with his son, Joel. Thirteen children were born to 
Adam and Rosanna (Hidy) Allen: Mrs. Sarah J. Bryant, John, Mrs. Cath- 
erine Morris, Joel A., William, George, deceased, Elijah, Samuel, Etta, Mrs. 
Rossetta, deceased, Lucy Straley, Adam and one who died in infancy. Of 
these children the following are now deceased : Sarah J., Catherine, William, 
Etta and George. 

Joel A. Allen was reared under the primitive pioneer conditions which 
prevailed during his boyhood days and attended the rude log school house 
with its greased-paper windows and slab seats, and there learned the rudi- 
ments of reading, writing and arithmetic. At the opening of the Civil War he 
enlisted in Company K, Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
and served for more than four years. The company was under the com- 
mand of Colonel S. A. Gilbert and Colonel Moore and participated in en- 
gagements in West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Mr. Allen had the 
honor of having served for a longer time in the Civil War than any other 
man from his county. After the close of the war Mr. Allen returned to 
Jeffersonville, Ohio, and worked on a farm in the immediate neighborhood. 
After his marriage he began renting land in Greene county, this state, and 
later located in Clinton county for a short time. He then returned to Fay- 
ette county and bought fifty acres of excellent land adjoining the village of 
Jeffersonville, where he is now living. He also is the owner of several town 
lots in Jeffersonville, 

Mr. Allen was married to Mary C. Janes, the daughter of William and 
Mary (Mock) Janes, early pioneers of the county, and to this union have 
been born two children, Isophine and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have also 
reared a boy, Howard Haynes, who is the son of George and Lucy (Horney) 
Haynes, who are both deceased, the father being buried in Chicago, Illinois, 
and the mother in Hidy cemetery, at Jeffersonville, Ohio. 

(37) 



5/8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Politically, Mr. Allen is a Republican and has always been actively 
interested in political matters. He has held various township offices, among 
them being that of township trustee and school director. Mr. Allen and his 
family are all loyal and consistent members of the Friends church, of Clinton 
county, and take an active interest in all the work of that denomination. 



JASON F. HENKLE. 



There is no earthly station higher than a minister of the Gospel, for 
no life can be more uplifting or grander than that which is devoted to the 
amelioration of the human race; a life of sacrifice for the betterment of the 
brotherhood of men, one who is willing to cast aside all earthly crowns in 
order to follow in the footsteps of the lowly Nazarene. It is not possible to 
measure adequately the bounds of such a life, for its influences continue to 
permeate the lives of others through succeeding generations; so the power 
it has exerted cannot be known until the last great day. Jason F. Henkle, 
the immediate subject of this sketch, who for thirty-seven years labored as a 
minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Protestant church, felt the call to 
the work when young and gladly answered it, although in doing so he set 
before himself a great task in accomplishing a suitable education to enable 
him to best discharge the duties which vi^ould be his. As was the custom in 
earlier days perhaps more than now, Mr. Henkle also conducted the work 
of the farm and in these ways has lived a life full to repletion with activity 
and brimful of good results. A short sketch of his career forcibly illustrates 
what energy, integrity and fixed purpose can accomplish when animated by 
noble aims and correct ideals. 

Jason F. Henkle, who resides on the old Henkle homestead in Union 
township, Fayette county, Ohio, was born on May 13, 1847, ^ son of Eph- 
raim and Mary S.* (Carr) Henkle, the former of whom was born on April 
23, t8i8, in this same township. He was the son of Barbara Henkle, who 
was a daughter of Isaac Henkle, who, with his brothers, Jacob, Esau and 
Saul, came from Pendleton county, Virginia, at a very early date in the his- 
tory of the state, probably about the year 181 5. Isaac Henkle took as his 
wife a German woman who came from one of the first families of that nation- 
ality in this section. Ephraim, his son, who is the father of the immediate 
subject of this sketch, was the father of ten children and he himself had the 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. r^g 

distinction of being the first white child to be born in what is now Union 
township. 

Jason F. Henkle attended the schools of the home locality when a boy 
and from his early youth assisted the father in the work about the home 
place, this being the same land on which Mr. Henkle now lives and which 
comprises fifty-two acres. He remained with his father until he attained his 
majority, when hearing of better opportunities for young men in the West, 
he journeyed to Logan county, Illinois, and secured a tract of land there 
which he rented for a year. When the first season's crops were gathered in, 
he returned to his boyhood home in this state, where he remained for two 
years, when, the call of the West again becoming insistent, he returned to 
Illinois, locating this time in McLean county. Here for two years he farmed 
rented land, and at the end of that time again returned to Ohio, where he 
has since made his home. During all the time he was so engaged, and for a 
few years later he was laboring all his spare time to better fit himself for the 
ministry and to this end was seeking a higher education alone and unaided. 
The fine degree of energy and courage which he possesses saw him through 
this big undertaking and at last the time came when he was able to take his 
place before the world as a full Ordained minister of the Gospel, to which 
w ork he gave the best of his life and effort. 

On March 14, 1872, Mr. Henkle was united in marriage with Laura 
O'Day, who bore him one child, Ephraim, who died in earliest infancy. Mrs. 
Henkle passed from this life on April 23, 1873, but a little more than a vear 
atter her marriage, and both mother and child lie buried in the cemetery at 
W ashington C. H. The next few years which passed were lonely ones for 
Mr. Henkle and those most interested in him were glad indeed when, on 
October I, 1878, he led to the altar Nanna Hamm, of London, Ohio, daugh- 
ter of John and Mary Jane (Timmons) Hamm, farmers of that locality. 
To Mr. Henkle by his second marriage were born six children, four of whom 
have passed into the great beyond. These are Lily H., Wilson C, Evelyn L. 
and Ray. Those living are Mary, who is the wife of Argyle P. Duncan and 
the mother of one son, William, and a son, Allan E., who resides in Detroit. 
Michigan, these being the first and fourth children, respectively, in order of 
birth. Both this daughter and son received excellent educations, both grad- 
uating from the college at Adrian, Michigan. 

While Mr. Henkle is not now on the active list of ministers, the duties 
of his calling still devolve upon him and he is still active in the cause so dear 
to his heart. His fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd 



580 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Fellows and also with the Knights of Pythias, and in the work of both these 
orders he takes a commendable interest. He is also affiliated with the Sons 
of Veterans. His father, Ephraim, was a captain during the Civil War, 
being connected with Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During an engagement he was captured by the 
enemy at Cynthiana, Kentucky. He also had some experience during the 
Mexican War, but was not regularly enlisted in the service. 

Of marked mental ability, Avell posted and a forceful and effective man 
in ever}^ walk of life, Mr. Henkle is held in high esteem by his brothers in 
the ministry and laymen alike. He is sincerely interested in all causes which 
lead to the advancement of the human race along all legitimate lines and is 
numbered among the strong and influential citizens of the county, enjoying 
universal respect and esteem throughout his wide circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances. Because of his active life and the good he has accomplished 
wherever his path has led, he is eminently entitled to special mention in a 
volume of this character. 



FLOYD R. SMIDLEY. 



The occupation of the farmer is the most independent career open to the 
man of today. One of the youngest farmers of Marion township, Fayette 
county, Ohio, is Floyd R. Smidley, who is now renting one hundred and fifty 
acres of fine land from his father about one mile north of New Holland. His 
father is one of the most successful farmers of this county and is a man who 
has been a leader for many years in everything that pertains to the develop- 
ment of the township. He has inherited those sterling characteristics which 
has made his father so successful and the success which has attended his 
efforts thus far indicates that he will eventually become one of the substantial 
farmers of his township. 

Floyd R. Smidley, son of George and Minnie (Whitmer) Smidley, was 
born September 30, 1891, in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio. His 
father was a native of Ross county, Ohio, while his mother is a native of this 
county. Both of his parents are still living in Marion township, where his 
father owns and operates the Elmwood Stock Farm. The reader is referred 
to the history of George Smidley. which is found elsewhere in this volume, 
for further information concerning the Smidley family. 

Floyd R. Smidley is the oldest of the living children born to George 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 58 1 

Smidley and wife, and one of four li\ ing children, the others being Roys Iva 
and Gladys, and was born September 30, 1891. He received his education 
in the North Star and Gamble schools of this county, and early in life de- 
cided that he wished to follow the occupation of a farmer. As a youth he 
worked on his father's large farm during the summer vacation, and thus by 
the time he was of age was well acquainted with the various details of agri- 
cultural life. After his marriage, in 1913, he rented one hundred and fifty 
acres of land from his father, and is now tilling this in a way that shows 
him to be a progressive farmer and thoroughly in touch with the latest 
methods in tilling the soil. He gives most of his attention to stock raising 
and has been very successful along this particular line of activity. 

Mr. Smidley was married August 16, 1913, to Artie Barclay, the daugh- 
ter of David Barclay. David Barclay was a native of Ross county and lived 
there all his life, dying October 16, 191 1. He married Jessie Hilton and 
they raised a family of six children, Clifford, Artie, Howard, Leota, Calvin 
and Gladys. The wife and mother still lives on the old homestead in Harri- 
son township, Ross county. Mr. and Mrs. Smidley are loyal and consistent 
members of the Christian church, in whose welfare they are deeply inter- 
ested. Mr. and Mrs. Smidley have a little daughter, Annalee. born July 29, 
1914. Mr. Smidley is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Sons of 
Veterans. He is still a young man of clean habits and high character, and is 
well liked and respected 1iy every one with whom he has been associated. 
Genial in disposition and kindly in manner, he makes friends wherever he 
goes with the result that he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 



WILLIAM HENR^' ROW'E. 

The gallant veterans of the Civil War are fast answering the last roll 
call and within a few years there will be none of them left. xA.mong the many 
veterans of Fayette county who have been mustered into that better land and 
joined the army triumphant there is no one more worthy of mention than 
the late William Henry Rowe, who was a prominent farmer of Concord town- 
ship for many years. He was a man who always performed his every duty 
whether on the battle field, in official life, as a private citizen or in his family 
circle. Such men give character and stability to the community in which they 
live and for this reason are always missed \\hen they are gone. 

William H. Rowe, the son of Willis and Harriet (Limes) Rowe, was 



:;8j FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

born in Favette county. July 22, i^3^>. and died at his home in Leesburg^, 
Ohio, June 8, 1906. His father was a native of Virginia and came to Ohio 
in 1820 and bjcated on tlie \A'abasli. W'ilHs Rowe and wife reared a famil\- of 
six children, all of whom are now deceased: Harmon, (Oliver. Minnie, Alia. 
Hester and William Henry. 

William H. Rowe attended the village school at Staunton, as did the girl 
who was later to become his wife. He knew what it was to have to work 
and from his earliest boyhood assisted with the labor on his father's farm. 
He remained at home until his marriage in 1857 and then loegan farming for 
himself in Concord townsliip. When the Civil War opened he had his heart 
torn ]>etween dutv to his famil}- and dut}- to his country, Init his wife told him 
that she could care for the three children and that wlien liis country needed 
him he shoukl go to the front. He enlisted in Compau) K, One Hundred 
and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close 
of the war. Jnunediately after the w-ar closed he 'returned to his hai)])y 
family and resumed his peaceful pursuits. He prospered as a farmer and he 
and his good wife reared a large family of children to lives of usefulness and 
honor. 

Air. Rowe \\as married in \'^^~ to Sarah Ann Craig, and to this union 
there were born ten children, iMuley. William, David, F.lizabeth, Florence, 
Oliver, Hattie (died aged one year), Alartin, F^arl and Rearl. Finle\' mar- 
ried Hattie Worthington and has eight children : William, Clarence, James, 
Elba, Inez, Hazel, Anna and F\'a. William married Jennie Wagner. l)a\id 
married Nettie Tanquar}" and has two children, Alina and Carl, deceased. 
Alartin married Bessie Dade. Elizabeth married Robert Patton and has four 
children, Lil} , Leona, Alarie and Willarcl. Oliver married .Maud Covan and 
has two ch.ildren, Alice and Lottie. Leroy married Pearl Burnett. Plorence 
and Earl are still single. Hattie married Frank Doty and has three children. 

Air. Row'C was a life-long Republican and always interested in political 
affairs, ))articularlv in local politics. For man\ years he served as a meni])er 
of the school board in his towaiship. .\s a \eteran of the Cixil AVar he was 
greatly interested in the Grand Army of the Republic and belonged to the 
post at Washington C. H. He was a consistent meml)er of the Aletht^dist 
Episcopal church and lived a life in harmou) with its teachings. He was a 
man of domestic tastes and was ne^■er happier than when at home and sur- 
rounded by his family. He ne\er oxerlooked an opi^ortunity to do good and 
yet was never ostentatious in liis l)enefactions. Such men are a blessing to 
the community in which. thc\ li\e and their lives should be an inspiration to 
the comiu"' "-eneration-. 



FAYETTE COVSTV. OHIO. 583 

XCJAH THORXTOX. 

The character of a coinimmity is deleniiined in a large measure 1)\ llie 
lives of a coniparati\'el\- few of its members. If its moral and intellectual 
status be good, if in a social \\a_\- il is a pleasant place to live, if its reputa- 
tion lor the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, it will 
be found that the standards set by the leading men ha\e I)een high and that 
their influence has been such as to mold the characters, and shape the li\cs of 
those with whom they mingle. Jn placing- the subject of this sketch in the 
rank of such men. justice is rendered a biograi^hical fact uni\ersally recog- 
nized throughout the locality honored with his citizenship. Mr. Thornton 
has contributed much to the material, ci\ic and moral advancement of his com- 
munity, while his admirable cjualities and the straightforward, upright course 
of his daily life, have won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in 
which he moves and has gi\en him a reputation" for integrity anci correct 
conduct. 

X^oah Thornton, well known farmer of L'nion townshi]j, Fayette county, 
Ohio, was born on January 4, 1S56, on what was known as the old Thornton 
farm, a portion of which is included in the sul)ject"s present farm home of 
two hundred acres. Tliis home is situated on the Johnstown road, about three 
and one-half miles from Washington C". H. The subject is the son of Thomas 
R. and Mahaley (Harper) Thornton, the former of whom was born in Colum- 
bus, this state, and was a very prominent farmer of this section. In his youth 
Thomas B. Thornton was a bound boy, having been brought to this localitv 
when a baby and bound out. He was a very ambitious chap and when a mere 
boy he began clearing land for his future home. At the time of his death 
he stood possessed of some six hundred acres of excellent farming lands. 
Being a man of keen intellect and possessed of more than ordinary civic pride, 
he took more than a passive interest in local community affairs and left the 
mark of his individuality upon much that relates to county history. He was 
the father of eight children, namely: Amos, James, Anderson (deceased), 
William, Ellen, Austin (deceased), Thomas and X^oah, the immediate sub- 
ject of this sketch. 

Mr. Thornton received his education in the schools of Johnstown, and 
when cjuite a small boy began assisting the father in the work of the home 
farm. At the age of twenty he started farming on his own account, renting 
land from his father for this purpose. hTom the very first he has succeeded 
and is regarded as among the best agriculturists of the county. 



584 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

On September 29, 1874, Mr. Thornton was united in marriage with 
Rebecca Hopkins, daughter of Wilham and Sophia (Crantz) Hopkins, and to 
their union have been born two children. The elder is Wilber, who married 
Alma Hooker and is the father of four children, Everett, Ursel, Kenneth and 
Velma. The subject's younger child is Ursel, who remains at home and is at 
present attending school. 

Mr. Thornton's political affiliation is with the Republican party, in the 
affairs of which he takes a commendable interest. lie is at present giving 
efficient service as a member of the school board and can always be counted 
upon to heartily endorse any movement for the betterment of the higher life of 
the communit}'. He holds his religious affiliation with, the Seventh-day Ad- 
ventist church and gives generously toward the support of the local organiza- 
tion. While a quiet, unassuming man whose best endeavors are extended in 
behalf of his home and family, Mr. Thornton is one who fully appreciates 
the duties of citizenship and makes an effort to add his quota to the advance- 
ment of the best interests of the community. The family is well liked and 
highly respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 



WILLIAM L. HENKLE. 

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an 
intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. Will- 
iam L. Henkle, Sr., one of the best known and most highly esteemed men of 
Fayette county, Ohio, and now living in honorable retirement after many years 
of activity in agricultural circles, has resided here all his life and his career 
has been a most commendable one in every respect. By persistent industry 
and the exercise of sound common sense in his operations, he gained the re- 
wards for which he labored and is today numbered among the sul)stanlial and 
influential men of the community. 

William L. Henkle was born on vSeptember 5. 1845, '" Union township 
on a farm one mile west of W^ashington C. M., being a son of Ephraim and 
Mary S. (Carr) Henkle, Ephraim also being a native of this township. l)orn 
in 1818 on the old Irvin farm. His mother's name was Barbara and Ephraim 
was one of the pioneers of the county, owning one liundred and fifty acres of 
land, which he placed in an excellent state of cultivation, and was in his day 
one of the leading men of his community. In his youth he attended the old 
pioneer schools in the crude little log school houses, his spare time being de- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 585 

voted to working with his father. When he came to manhood he followed the 
vocation of farming and was considered one of the leading agriculturists of 
this section. . He approved advanced methods of farming, eagerly adapting 
every new idea as he acquired it and owned tb.e first reaper which ever came 
into the township. He also believed that the best strains of live stock were 
none too good for the ordinary farmer and was especially interested in fine 
hogs. He was the father of ten children. Ellen, Joel and Mary are de- 
ceased, the latter having been the wife of J. A. Bush. William L., the im- 
mediate subject of this sketch, was the third child in order of birth; then came 
J. F. ; N. S., who lives in Indiana; Jesse, who lives at Springfield, Ohio; Cath- 
erine (Mrs. Hire) ; Amanda, wife of W. L. Dowden, and Almeda L., who 
married J. B. Cohagen. 

When the subject was a youth he attended the school taught by H. C. 
Burnett, later w'ent to the Judge A. Williams school and finished his school 
days in John Parrott's school. From the time he was a small boy and during 
all vacations he assisted in the work of the home place and when twenty-two 
years of age he started out in life for himself, first hiring out to farm labor 
by the month. At the age of twenty-six he began farming for himself on a 
tract of twelve acres and now owns a farm of sixty acres located about three 
miles west of Washington C. Fl. on the Wilmington pike. 

On April r6. t86S, Mr. Henkle was united in marriage with Thursea 
Bush, daughter of William and Phoebe ( Fults) Bush, both of whom were 
natives of this county. lo their union have beeen born five children, the 
eldest of whom, Miles N.. is deceased. The others are Mary E., wife of 
(irant Miller; Effie, William L., Jr., and Carey E., who remain at home. Since 
the subject has retired from the active work of the farm, his two efficient sons, 
William L., Jr., and Carey E., have taken oved its management. Both re- 
ceived their educations at the Midland school and were early trained by the 
subject in all that pertained to successful farming. Carey E. devotes especial 
effort to the raising of such grains as are especially adapted to this section, 
while William gives particular attention to truck farming. Bcjth belong to 
the Sons of Veterans and the religious affiliation of each is with the Methodist 
Protestant church, and to the maintenance of the local organization each gives 
liberally of his means. 

William M. Henkle's political affiliation is with the Republican partv and 
he has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of same. He has been a 
school director and has also served the township as pike superintendent, effi- 
ciently discharging the duties of both offices. His church membership for the 



586 



FAYI-yrTE COL'XTV, OHIO. 



past titty years has been with the Methodist Protestant church and he is >in- 
cerely interested in the success of the local society. Mr. Henkle is a cjuiet, 
unassuming man and it is unnecessary to add that he is highly respected 
throughout the locality where he lives and where he has spent his entire life. 
In all the relations of life he has been found faithful to every trust and be- 
cause of his sterling worth, uncompromising integrity and friendliness, he has 
won and retains the warm regard of all with whom he associates and is widely 
known throughout the county. 



ABNER J. BRYANT. 



A man who occupied a conspicuous place in the life of his community 
for many years was the late Abner J. Bryant, who lived a life which en- 
deared him to everyone with whom he was associated. He was successful 
in his life work and left the impress of his personality upon the community 
where he resided. In his daily walk of life he conducted his atf'airs in such 
a way as to reflect credit upon himself and, being" upright and conscientious 
in everything he did, it is justly titting that his histor}' be included among the 
representative men of his county. He \\ ill always be remembered as a man 
wiio had the interests of his fellow citizens at heart, and in everything he did 
lie was also actuated by the highest motives. 

The late Abner J. Bryant, the son of (lideon and Anna (Mouserj 
Bryant, was born in Ross county, Ohio, near New Holland, on the 22d day 
of August, i860, and died in Marion township, this county, on the i6th day 
of October, 1910. His father was born in X'irginia and was one of the early 
settlers of Ross count}". Twehe children, were born to Gideon Bryant and 
wife, John, William, Frank, Charles. Ida, Laura, Rena. IMaida, Cora, Nathan. 
Benjamin and Abner J. 

Abner J. Bryant recei^■ed a good common school education in the sch(jols 
of Ross county and remained on the home farm until he was married. After 
his marriage he continued to live in Ross countv until he was about forty 
years of age when he removed to FaA^ette county and located in Marion 
township, near New Holland. He Ijought a farm in tliis township and con- 
tinued to reside on it until his death. 

Mr. Bryant was married on February ii, 1882, to Flora Bennett, the 
daughter of John W. and Joanna (Karney) Bennett. John W. Bennett was 
a native of Pickaway county, and was one of the largest land owners in this 



FAVETTK corxTv. OHIO. 587 

>ec'Lii;n oi iIr- ^lale, Dwninii' inoix' llian iwehc Inindrrd acre> of land in 
rickaway county. Six children were horn to John W. I'.ennelt and wife: 
Mrs. Sarah Dick, Melton. Flora, one who died an infant, William and 
janie.s. Mr. and Mrs. IJryant are the parents of five children, Iva, Oma, 
Opal 1!., Andre}' and John Bennett. Iva married Harry V. Heath; Opal is 
the wife of Warren IJriggs, and has one daughter, Charlene, while the other 
children are still immarried. 

Mr. r.ryant was a devoted Methodist in faith and lived a life consistent 
with the teachings of the church. Politically, he was a Democrat and, while 
taking- an intelligent interest in political matters, yet was never an aspirant 
for puhlic office. He was a man of kindly impulses, devoted to his faniilv 
and friends, and throughout his long life w^as interested in evervthing which 
nii^ht hetter the communitv in which he resided. 



WILLIAM W^ORTHINGTON. 

No better eulogium can be ])ronounced upon a community or upon its 
individual members than to point to the work they have accomplished. Theories 
look fine on the printed page and sound well when proclaimed from the plat- 
form, but in the end it is effort in the various lines of industrial, commercial 
and financial activity which develops the man and tells on society. This is 
essentially a utilitarian age and the man of action is very much in evidence. 
The gentleman w^hose name a])pears at the head of this sketch is such a man, 
and as such it is pleasant to contem])late brieil)' his career and character. 
Intimately associated for years with the development and i>rosperity of the 
thriving city of Washington C. H., and taking prominent part in the business 
affairs of his section, he is not under-estimated by a peoj^le w^ho long since 
learned to appreciate his true value as a potent factor in business matters of 
importance. In early life he laid the foundation of a character which has 
stood the test of the years and which has made him a leader in the affairs 
of men. 

W^illiam W'^orthington is a native son of the county which is now honored 
by his citizenship, having been born about eight miles south of Washington 
C. H. on the 19th day of April, 1870. He is a son of Robert and Jennie 
(McDowell) Worthington, both of whom were born in Ohio, the former in 
Highland county and the latter in Ross county. Besides the subject, thev had 
one other child, Margaret, the wife of Spencer Calvert. Robert Worthington 



^88 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

was reared in Highland county and in about 1850 he came to Fayette county, 
locating in Concord township, where he accumulated a large tract of land, 
owning between sixteen hundred and eighteen hundred acres, the greater part 
of which was devoted to grazing purposes, stock raising being his principal 
vocation. He was a successful man in his business affairs and enjoyed the 
confidence and respect of the entire community. He died in 1898, at the age 
of sixty-seven years and one month. His widow died on January 9, 1906, in 
the sixty-sixth year of her age. They were earnest and devoted members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Worthington enlisted for service dur- 
ing the historic Morgan raid, and, while he did not capture Morgan, he used 
to laughingly say that at that time he did capture Mrs. Worthington. 

The subject's paternal grandparents were Joseph C. and Harriet 
(Shields) Worthington. the former a native of Virginia and the latter ol 
Ohio. ThcA- became pioneer settlers in Highland county, Ohio, where he 
bought a large tract of land, and also bought land in Fayette county. He 
settled in the wilderness near East Alonroe, Highland county, where he spent 
the remaining years of his life. He died in 1897, at the advanced age of 
nmety-three years, his wife dying at the age of about eighty years. They 
were the parents of ioiw sons, Thomas, Robert, Joseph and William. 

William VVorthington's maternal grandparents, Andrew and Margaret 
(Murray) McDowell, were nati\'es of Scotland, who, upon their emigration 
w the United States, settled in Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio. There Mr. 
McDowell engaged in the mercantile business, handling chinaware and kindred 
lines, and there he and his wife died when well advanced in years. They 
reared the following children: Isabel, (ieorge, Hugh, Jennie, Andrew. 
Margaret, Carrie, William and two who died in infancy. 

He to whom this review is mainl\- de\oted was reared on his father's 
farm in Concord township, and secured his elementary education in the dis- 
trict schools of the neighborhood and the graded schools of Staunton. He 
supplemented this by four years' study in the Xorthern Indiana Normal 
School and Business University at X'alparaiso, Indiana. He returned home 
in the fall of 1892 and remained on the farm until the following year, when 
for a short time he was engaged in the poultry business at Sabina, Clinton 
county. He then sold his interests there and secured employment in a bank 
at Sabina for two years. His business and banking experience were valu- 
able in an educational way and he was well qualified when, in the fall of 1^895, 
he accepted the position of teller in the People's and Drovers' Bank in Wash- 
ins^ton C. H. lie faith full\- and ehficiently ])erfornied the duties of that posi- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 589 

tion until the spring of 1899 and in the summer of that year he organized the 
Fayette County Bank, of which he was cashier for several years, since which 
time he has served as president. The Fayette County Bank was organized 
with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, which was afterward increased 
to one hundred thousand dollars. Its career from the beginning has been a 
notably successful one and today it is numbered among the strong, reliable 
and influential banks of western Ohio. The present officers of the bank are 
as follows: W'iUiam Worthington, president; Dr. W. E. Ireland, vice-presi- 
dent; Robert Howett, cashier, and Fred Cline, assistant cashier. Much of 
the success of this popular institution has been directly due to the sound judg- 
ment and sagacity of the president, who has devoted himself indefatigably to 
its interests. Mr. Worthington has also other interests, being a director of 
the Fayette Grain Company and a stockholder in several other concerns, 
besides which he owns one thousand acres of good land in Concord township 
and one hundred and seventeen acres in Marion township. He is essentially 
a man of affairs, sound of judgment and far-seeing in what he undertaikes, and 
has won and retains the confidence of all classes. 

On the 24th day of November, 1895, William Worthington was married 
to Mepha Overman, who was born in Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio, the 
daughter of W. C. and Elizabeth Ann (Young) Overman, and to their union 
have been born two children, Edith and Jean. Mrs. Worthington's parents 
were natives of Ohio, the mother dying when her daughter was a child of but 
eight years. Her father is still living. There were two children in this 
family besides Mrs. Worthington, BrufT and Ella. Mrs. Worthington is a 
well educated woman, having supplemented her public school course by attend- 
ance in the Lebanon Normal School. She is a lady of many gracious qualities 
of mind and heart and is well liked by all who know her. 

Politically, Mr. Worthington is a supporter of the Republican party 
and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, being a wide reader and a 
close observer of passing events. Fraternally, he is a member of the Fayette 
Lodge No. 107, Free and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Knights 
of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his 
wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is also 
identified with the Young Men's Christian Association, in the various activ- 
ities of which he is deeply interested. He is a warm supporter and ardent 
ad\ocate of every measure which, in any way, promises to benefit the com- 
munity, and is rightfully numbered among the representative and influential 
citizens of the communitv. 



590 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

JAMES M. HARTMAN. 

The men most intiuential in promoting the advancement of civihzation 
and in giving character to the times in which they hve are of two general 
classes, the men of study and the men of action. Whether we are more 
indebted for the improx ement of this age to the one class or tu the other is a 
(juestion of honest difference in opinion. Neither class can be spared and 
both should be encouraged to occupy their several spheres of labor and in- 
Huence. J. M. Hartman is a man who combines the leading characteristics 
of the scholar and the energy of the public-spirited man of affairs. For 
more than a quarter of a century he has been a teacher in Union township, 
h^ayette county, Ohio, and has made his influence felt, not only in the school 
life, but in all phases of the life of his community. 

James M. Hartman, the superintendent of the Union township schools, 
the son of John and Sarah (Smith) Hartman, was born April 19, 1869, "^ 
Alarion township, this county. His father was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, 
and settled in Fayette county before the war. He served in that memorable 
conflict as a member of Company D, One Flundred and Fourteenth Regi- 
ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the Army of the Potomac for 
three and one-half years. After the close of the war he returned to Fayette 
county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Union township, where 
he is still living. John Hartman and wife were the parents of seven children, 
Charles, Frank, James M., Edward, Thomas, Margaret and Maud. All of 
these children are still living except Edward, Margaret, Maud and Thomas. 

James M. Hartman received his education in Fayette county and later 
tool; a course in the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. He began teaching 
at the age of nineteen and has been connected with the schools of this county 
ever since. For the past nve years he has been superintendent of the town- 
ship schools of Union township, being the only township superintendent in 
the county and he is now district superintendent of Union, Wayne and Marion 
townships. He keeps fully abreast of the latest methods of teaching and. 
being a diligent student of educational matters, is recognized as one of the 
ablest teachers of the county. He lives on a small farm of twenty-four acres 
about three miles from Washington C. H. 

Mr. Hartman was married October 7, 1897, to Grace McCoy, the 
daughter of Thomas and Eliza ( Cockerell) McCoy. Mrs. Hartman's mother 
is one of the oldest settlers of the county and is still hale and hearty. 

Mr. Hartman is a Democrat in jxilitics and has always been interested 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 59I 

in political matters. .\t the present time he is a candidate for the office of 
auditor of his county. Air. Hartman has devoted his life to the teaching- 
profession and has lived an unseltish, helpful and altruistic life, whereby the 
hundreds of young people who ha\'e gone to school to him will become better 
men and women. Because of the good he has done and the life he has lived, 
he is eminently entitled to representation in the historv of his county. 



LEONDIS BAUGHN. 



There are several families in Fayette county, Ohio, who are descendants 
of the pioneers who settled here more than a century ago. One of the sturdy 
Virginian families to come to this county in 1811 was the Baughn family. 
Lester Baughn was the first member of the family to locate in Fayette 
county, and he came with his wife, Margaret, and his three brothers a year 
or so after the county was organized. One of the children born to Lester and 
Margaret Baughn was James, the grandfather of Leondis Baughn. with 
whom this narrative deals. James was born in this county, grew to man- 
hood and married Elizabeth Bush. William Baughn, the father of Leondis, 
was one of the children born to James and Elizabeth (Bush) Baughn. He 
grew to manhood in Union township, where he was born, and enlisted on 
August 9, i<S62, in Company C, Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry. He served until the close of the war. His regiment was in twenty- 
six battles of that memorable struggle, and he was never found missing from 
roll call when duty demanded that he should be there. After the close of the 
w ar he returned to Fayette county and began farming in Union township, 
where he is still living today. His wife died February 28, 1911, and is 
])uried at the Sugar Creek Baptist church. Three children were born to 
William and Mary C. (Hines) Baughn, Jesse, Leondis and Pearl. Jesse 
married Etta Hidy and has three children, Floyd, Inez and Loren ; Pearl 
married Stella Wilson. 

Leondis Baughn, the fourth in direct descent from the first member of 
the family to come to this county, was born in Jefferson township. Januarv 
30, 1872. He recei\ed such schooling as was given in the district schools 
of his neighborhood and later attended the graded schools in Bloomingburg. 
As a youth he was studious and. being interested in educational matters, it 
was natural that he should turn to the teaching profession after leaving 
school as a student. He taught verv successfulh' in Madison countv for four 



5C)2 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

years, but upon his marriage decided to leave the school room and engage in 
farming. He bought a highly improved farm of eighty acres three miles 
south of Bloomingburg in 1896, and has made a pronounced success along 
agricultural lines. He is a man of wide reading and is thoroughly in touch 
with all of the latest methods in farming. 

Mr. Baughn was married July 30, 1896, to Eva M. Thornton, the daugh- 
ter of Anderson and Rachel (Snook) Thornton, and to this union has been 
born one child, who died in infancy. 

Politically, Mr. Baughn is a member of the new Progressive party, ha\ - 
ing joined it upon its organization in the summer of 191 2. He believes 
that the Progressive party is the expression of the people's aspirations for a 
larger, freer and better political, economic and social life. Being a man of 
broad education, it is but natural that he should be deeply interested in 
political matters, although he has never been an aspirant for a political 
office. He and his wife are affiliated with the Baptist church, in whose wel- 
fare thev are interested and to whose support they are contributors. 



CPIARLES T. LYNCH. 



The well known gentleman to a review of whose life the following lines 
are devoted is a native of the old Buckeye state and of this county, having 
been born on August 25, 1858, in Perry township, the son of E. J. and 
Hester (Cockerill) Lynch. E. J. Lynch was a native of Virginia, born at 
the family home on the Roanoke river, and throughout his life w.as a farmer. 
He was a son of Kentchen and Mary (Edmonds) Lynch, the former of 
whom also was a native of Virginia and was a son of William Lynch. The 
family first came to this state in 1843, Kentchen (the subject's grandfather) 
emigrating westward with his family in search of better opportunities than 
their native state offered. At that time E. J. was a young man of eighteen 
years, having been born on December 25, 1825. The family first settled on 
the Trimble prairie, near Sabina, and lived there for many years. Kentchen 
L3mch was the father of the following children, namely: Edward J., father 
of the subject; George H., Margaret, Elizabeth, Hezekiah and Mary C, all 
deceased, while Lily, the wife of R. Brake, resides in California and Martha 
is deceased. E. J. Lynch had no school advantages when young and learned 
reading and spelling at home. However, when twenty-six years of age an 
opportunity came for him to obtain a better education, and so eager was he 




CHARLES T. LYNCH 



AVKTTE CorXTN', OHIO. 



593 



to do so that in spite of his age he faithfully look up the studies which should 
have heen his when a youth, and he became a faiii\ well educated man. 
When a young man, together with several friends he journeyed into the West 
in search of a better location than Ohio afforded. bu,t not being impressed 
with anything they saw they gladly returned to this state and for eleven years 
the subject's father worked on various farms, hiring out by the month. At 
the time of his marriage he settled down on a farm which he rented and in 
this way began Inisiness for himself. He was shrewd and energetic and was 
considered a successful man. \t the time of his death he owned a farm 
and had reared his family of six children. Charles, the subject, was the old- 
est of the family; William lives at Washington C. tl. ; Eleanore resides in 
Washington C. H. ; Ella li\es in Springfield. Ohio; Ttdward M., the youngest 
of the family, is deceased; James C. is teaching school and li\es at Blooming- 
burg. 

When a boy Charles Lynch attended the schools of Perr\- township near 
his home, later taking the higher grades at Washington C. 11. He earlv 
learned the meaning of "hard work" and passed a Inisy voung manhood, re- 
maining with the father until attaining his majority. For four years he was 
engaged in teaching school in Perry township and moved to Bloomingburg 
in 1886, since which time he has been regarded as one of the more prominent 
citizens of this locality. He at first was connected with the drayage business 
and served the town as mayor. In 1894 he turned to the vocation of farm- 
ing, and now resides on his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres located 
on the Midway pike, about three miles north of Bloomingburg. Mr. Lynch 
occupies a prominent place in the esteem of the people of the communitv 
and is universally respected for liis manly character. He lives to a good 
and useful purpose and the position he occupies in the community has been 
honestly and well merited. As a business man his methods ha\e always been 
correct and fair dealing has characterized all of his transactions with his 
fellow men. Personally, he possesses those qualities calculated to inspire 
confidence in others and consequently is liked by all classes and conditions of 
people. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, but has never 
had the time nor inclination to take a very active part in political work. 
Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving both 
as trustee and steward of the local society, and being intensely interested in 
every department of church work. His fraternal affiliations are with the 
ancient body of Free and Accepted Masons and the Eastern Star. Mr. 
(38/ 



594 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Lynch is also one of the most active Grangers of this locaHty, doing all within 
his power to further the good work of the local organization. 

Mr. Lynch was, on Februar}- 7, 1894, united in marriage with Emma 
Hays, daughter of Charles and Catherine (Parker) Hays, who bore him 
four children, and departed this life on April 16, 1908. Mrs. Lynch was an 
earnest and devoted woman, winning to herself many friends by her sterling 
qualities of heart and mind. She is buried at Bloomingburg cemetery. 
Charles E.. the oldest child of the family, is engaged in farming and remains 
in the home, as do also Ray Parker, Candace and Walter M., all of whom 
are still in school. Mr. Lynch surrounds his family with many of the com- 
forts and conveniences of life, carefully directing his children in ways of use- 
fulness and happiness. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of the 
community and as such is eminently entitled to representation in a work oi 
this character. 



JACOB H. COIL. 

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life the attention of the reader 
is directed is among the well known and representative citizens of Union 
township, Fayette county, Ohio. He has, by his enterprise and progressive 
methods, contrilnited in a material way to the adxancement of his localit}-. 
and during the course of an honorable career has been fairly successful in 
his business enterprises, having been a man of energy, sound judgment and 
honesty of purpose and is thus well deserving of mention in this volume. 

Jacob H. Coil was born on November 11, 1853, in this county on what 
was known as the old Coil farm, jjeing the son of Samuel and Sarah (Fults) 
Coil, the former of whom was born also on the old Coil farm and was in his 
day one of the most prominent farmers of the county. When the subject was 
six weeks old, his i)arents mo>ed to Union township to the farm, part of 
which the subject now ()\\ns and where he has e\'er since made his home. 
Mr. Coil owns about three hundred acres located on the Sabina jjike and 
also OW'US one luindred acres of the old home place. Living with him is his 
brother, Jasper L. Coil, and together the two operate the business of the 
farm, in which enterprise they are quite successful. Samuel Coil, father of 
the immediate subject, was a son of John and Mary Coil, the former of 
whom was born in Virginia and came to Union township about the year 1812. 
He was a man of great energv and enterprise and took out government land 
to the extent of twehe hundred acres, at the time lames Madison was Presi- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. cq" 

dent of the United States. The land he thus obtained was in a. primitive 
state and through his efforts ahnost all of it was placed in a state of culti\a- 
tion. He was the father of the following children: Isaac, Elias. Amos, 
John, William, Abraham, Simon, Jane (who is still living at St. Alary, 
Ohio) and Samuel, father of the immediate subject. To each one of his 
cliildren he gave one hundred acres of land in this county, thus starting them 
out in life, and it is an interesting fact that not one of the twelve failed, all 
having made good. 

Samuel Coil started on his hundred-acre tract and later moved to the 
homestead in Union township, where he reared his family. He chose as his 
life companion Sarah Fults, the daughter of Peter and' Frances (Rankin) 
Fults. The former was a native of Pendleton county. Virginia, and came to 
this state when a young man. He first located in Ross countv, near Chilli- 
cothe, later coming to Fayette county, where he passed the remainder of his 
life. He was the father of eight children, namely: Jacob, Simon, John, 
Jerry and Thomas, all deceased, Phoebe, Sarah '( subject's mother)' and 
Jane. The subject was the eldest of a family of six children, the others 
being Jesse, Mary, Ida and Alice, all deceased. Jasper L., hereinbefore men- 
tioned, and Jacob H. are the only surviving members of the familv. Those 
deceased are all buried in the Coil cemetery on the old Coil farm. 

When a boy, Jacob H. Coil attended school in district No. 4. known 
familiarly at that time as "Pop Gun College.- later attending Midland 
school, where he received the balance of his education. From his early youth 
he had assisted the father in the work about the homestead and when', in his 
twenty-first year, his father died he had received such careful training in 
agricultural work that he was able to take up the work where his fatlier left 
off and assisted the mother in raising the balance of the family. The mother 
survived the father a number of years, having passed away only a few years 
ago. Mr. Coil has lived an active and well-rounded life. Politically, he 
gives his support to the Republican party and has always taken an actixe 
interest in politics. For six years he was a member of the school board and 
has always been ready and willing to do anything in his power to advance the 
welfare of the community along educational, social or moral lines. His 
religious affiliation is with the Methodist Protestant church, in the work of 
which organization he takes a commendable interest. While living a quiet 
and retired life, devoting himself primarily to his own interests, Mr. Coil 
has a keen appreciation of what constitutes good citizenship, being always 
read>- to back up bis theories with actual service if necessarv. He Is one of 



596 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the highly respected citizens of his comnumit}', ha\ ing' estahhshed a tinii ic|)- 
iitation for honesty of purpose in his deahngs with his fehow men and hy 
being the adxocate of clean and wholesome principles in the home, society 
and politics. 



FELIX WELTON GREEN. 

xA. farmer and stock raiser of Fayette count}', Ohio, who has made a 
])ronounced success of his chosen life work is h . Welton (jreen, one of the 
substantial farmers of Jasper township. He came to this county about thirty- 
three years ago and started in with practically nothing, l)ut l:)y good manage- 
ment and close economy he has accumulated a tine farm of two hundred 
acres. The success which has attended his efforts has not caused him to 
forget his obligations as a public-spirited citizen and his support on all meas- 
ures of general welfare has given him the respect and esteem of his fell-wv 
citizens. 

F. Welton (ireen, the son of Charles and Angeline (Cunningham) 
Green, w-as born in Warren count}-, Virginia, December 3, 1847. His father 
was born in Prince William count}', \"irginia, and lixed his whole life in the 
state of his nativity. Charles Green and wife reared a family oi six children, 
Laura, William A'., h\ Welton, Mrs. Kate Seymour, Mrs. Jennie Scott and 
Sevmour. The family were Presbyterians in faith and were promment m 
the life of their community in Virginia. 

The education of F. Welton Green was received in the district schools 
and hTont Royal Academy, Virginia. He worked on the farm until the 
Civil War opened and then, although but fifteen years of age, enlisted in 
Company E, Seventh Regiment, Third Squadron, \'irginia Cavalry. He 
serxed under Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee in northern Virginia until the close of the 
war. He then took up farming and has made it his life work. He married 
in 1871 and started farming in Warren count}', coming to h'ayette county in 
about 1881. He bought part of his present farm in Jasper township upon 
coming to this county and has since added to his original holdings until he 
now has a well impro\'ed farm of two hundred acres. He has been a careful 
farmer and has always ranked with the best in his township, always adding 
the latest machinery to his equipment, thereby being able to get the maximum 
results from his efforts. 

Vlr. Green was married Februar}' 2, 1871. to Elizabeth L. Castleman, 
the dau'diter of Charles D. Castleman. Mr. Castleman Avas a lieutenant in 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 597 

tlie Confederate army, being a lieutenant of Company F, Second Regiment, 
Virginia Infantry. He was killed at the second battle of Bull Run. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Green have been born four daughters, Besse, Anna, Mae and 
Jennie. Besse is the wife of Edwin Dice and has two sons. Maxwell and 
James. Anna was the wife of Jesse Coil, but is now deceased. Mae became 
the wife of Roy Rankin and has two children, Arley R. and Marion E. 
Jennie is the wife of Albert Leach and has one daughter, Margaret. The 
mother of these children died in 1907. She was a member of Grace church 
at Alexandria, Virginia, the same to which George Washington belonged. 
Air. Green is a Democrat in politics, but has never been an aspirant for office, 
preferring to give his attention to his agricultural affairs. 



SALATHIEL H. CARR. 



The reader's attention is now called to a short sketch of the career of 
Salathiel H. Carr. now living in comfortable retirement after a strenuous 
life spent in agricultural circles. By his enterprise and progressive methods 
he has contributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial ad- 
\ancement of the coinmunity, and because of his high character and un- 
(juestioned integrity, he enjoys to a marked degree the sincere respect of the 
community. 

Salathiel H. Carr was born on March 15, 1845, ^^ Union township, 
i'ayette county, Ohio, on the same farm where he is at present residing, being 
the son of Jacob and Polly (Herrod) Carr. Jacob Carr was bom in 1817 in 
Aladison county, this state, but was brought to Fayette county by his parents 
w hen but a baby. His parents were Joab and Malinda Carr, coming to this 
state from Virginia and being among the first settlers in this section of the 
country. Jacob, father of the immediate subject, was a small boy about 
seven years of age when both his parents died and he was taken into the 
home of a first cousin, by whom he was reared to manhood. For a number 
of years he assisted this cousin about his farm, later buying one hundred 
and thirty-two acres, where he lived for many years and where the subject 
now resides. The subject was one of a family of nine children, the others 
l)eing Matilda (Mrs. Thornton), Ella (Mrs. Thornton), Eliza. David, May 
I yirs. Baughan ) . Susan, Jesse and Amanda. 

Mr. Carr received his education in the schools of the neighborhood 
w here his boyhood days were passed, attending first district No. 6. which was 



598 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

a little primiti^•e log" structure, later finishing in the more modern school near 
the cemetery and about a quarter of a mile from his home. When cjuite 
young he began to assist his cousin about the farm and throughout his school 
da\'s his spare time was passed in this manner. When twenty years of age 
he began renting land and farming on his own account, and in this one 
community has passed his entire life of sixty-nine years. He was quite suc- 
cessful in his chosen yocation of farming and had also quite an enviable 
reputation as a successful stock raiser. 

Mr. Carr chose as his life companion Isabella Thompson, born in Ross 
county, near Austin, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Lucas) Thomp- 
son, with whom he w^as united in marriage in 1871. Mrs. Carr's parents 
come from old families of A^irginia and were early settlers in Ross county. 
They were the parents of twelve children, Carrie, Henry, Elijah, Thomas. 
Austin, Dennis, Isabella, Sarah, Alattie, Lucy and two children who died in 
early infancy. Mrs. Carr passed from this life on June 22, 1908, and lies 
buried in the cemeter}- at Washington C. H. She was a very devout Christ- 
ian woman, her sympathies large enough to embrace all creeds, and was never 
happier than when in the discharge of some helpful duty. Mr. and Mrs. 
Carr became the parents of six children, the eldest of whom, Delbert, died 
when young. Noah married Ella Craig and is the father of two children, 
Herrod and Richard. Frank chose as his wife Nettie Elliott and has one 
son, Delbert. Maud became the wife of Jesse Craig and is the mother of a 
little daughter, Margaret. The remaining ones of the family are Blanchard 
and Leroy. 

Mr. Carr gives his earnest support to the old-line Republican party, 
having more than a nominal interest in the affairs of same. For six years 
he served as trustee of Union township and has been otherwise active in party 
affairs. He gives his moral and material support to church societies of 
different denominations and does all within his power to advance the moral, 
educational and material welfare of the community. While Mr. Carr's hfe 
has been a quiet one, not possessing any spectacular scenes, yet it has been 
filled \vith cjuiet, steady purpose and an honest ambition to fill well his place 
as a man and citizen. It is just such quiet, substantial lives which are the 
backbone and sinew of the life of the nation, for. after all, the life of the 
town or community, the state or nation, is really only what the individual 
life makes them and the nation has need of men of high ideals and quiet, 
steadfast purpose. Throughout his life, Mr. Carr has so lived as to endear 
himself to a great number of friends and is well known all over the county. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 599 

HORACE W. WILSON. 

There are one thousand eight hundred and forty-six farms in Fayette 
eounty, Ohio, and of this number there are only forty-three with an acreage 
of more than five hundred acres. Some of these large farms have come about 
as a result of inheritance and others have been the result of the individual 
labors of the owners. One of the most successful farmers of Marion town- 
ship is Horace W. Wilson, who, by his own initiative, has accumulated a 
farm of six hundred acres, having started in with nothing at the beginning 
of his career. He started out to work by the month and later bought a small 
farm and to this has added from time to time until he bas become the owner 
of his present fine farm. It has taken good management, close economy and 
progressive farming, and these qualities are strikingly exemplified in the 
career of Air. Wilson. While he has been accumulating a comfortable for- 
tune of his owni, he has not neglected to bear his full share of the burdens of 
community life and has always been known as a public-spirited citizen, inter- 
ested in everything which pertains to the welfare of his township and county. 

Horace W. Wilson, the proprietor of Maple Lawn Stock Farm, on the 
Bloomingburg and New Holland pike, was born January 28. 1857, in Green 
township, Fayette county, Ohio. He is the son of John and Martha J. 
(Cockerell) Wilson, and one of eight children born to his parents, the others 
being Mrs. Clara Neil, William G., Mrs. Sylvitha Hidy, J. M.. Charles, John 
and Chilton P. John Wilson was born in Rockingham count}". Virginia, and 
came to this county with his parents, William and Peachy (Fishback) Wil- 
son, about 1810 or 1812. John Wilson was a farmer and merchant and a 
man of prominence in his community. He was a man of excellent intellectual 
attainments and gave his children the best advantages which the schools of 
that early day afforded. 

Horace W. Wilson attended the schools of Perry township and re- 
mained at home with his father on the farm until he reached the age of 
twenty-two, when he began to work out by the month, saving his wages with 
the intention of purchasing a farm of his own. He first bought one hundred 
and fourteen acres in Perry township, this county, and two years later sold 
it and purchased a farm in Ross county, Ohio, where he lived for a while, 
and then sold his farm at a good profit and invested the proceeds in land in 
Marion township, this county. After locating in Marion township, he added 
to his land holdings until he now has six hundred acres of as good land as 
can be found within the county. He has a beautiful country home, com- 



6oO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

modious and con^ cnicnt Ijarns and everything which the up-to-date fanner 
needs for the successful tilling of the soil. He is one of the largest stock 
raisers of the county iind sells stock by the car load every year. 

Mr. Wilson was married in 1882 to Emma J. Cline, the daughter of 
William and Xaonii ( Glascow ) Cline, and to this union have been born five 
children, Ethel, Glenn, Ray, Verne and Dale. Glenn married Ada King, and 
has two children, Horace and an infant unnamed. 

The Republican party has received the support of Mr. Wilson since 
reaching his majority and, despite his heavy agricultural interests, he has 
always been deeply interested in local political matters. At the present time 
he is serving" on the school board of his township and doing everything 
within his power for the advancement of the educational interests of his 
township. He and his family are consistent members of the Presbyterian 
church, to whose support they are generous contributors. Fraternally, he is 
a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. Mr. Wilson has a wide circle of friends throughout the town- 
ship and county and, owing to his honesty in business and his upright social 
and private life, he well merits the high esteem in which he is held by every 
one with whom he is associated. Thus far his life has been one of strenuous 
activity and, bv reason of the success with which it has been attended, his 
friends are justified in predicting for him a future of still greater usefulness 
and distinction. 



JAMES COLE. 



It is the custom with many farmers even in this day of known advantage 
in putting all corn and hay raised on a farm into stock, to sell the grain 
which they raise and only deal to a limited extent in live stock. Time has 
shown that this course is unwise and those farmers who stick to that obsolete 
custom are the losers. It is found that the best results are obtained from 
making the sale of live stock the first consideration, and it is not necessary to 
point out that most of the successful farmers have long ago adopted this 
practice. Aside from the improvement of the farm and the dealings in farms 
perhaps, it is probably the fact that the great majority of the wealthiest 
farmers have obtained all or nearly all of their wealth from their dealings in 
live stock. Such at least has been very largely the case of the subject of this 
sketch, who is now considered one of the most successful farmers of the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 6oi 

vicinity of Union township. J'avette county, and who iias come to his present 
gratifying state of prosperity- solely through his own efforts. 

James Cole, farmer and stock raiser, living on his fine farm of two 
hundred and thirty-five acres one and a half miles from Bloomingburg, is a 
native of the state of Tennessee, born in Carter county on July 4. 1854. He 
is a son of Joseph and Mahala ( Garling) Cole, both of whom were natives 
of l^ennessee, the former being born in Johnson county and one of the most 
skilled blacksmiths of his day in that locality. Joseph was a son of Samson, 
who was also a blacksmith in addition to conducting the business of a farm. 
Samson was the father of seven children, James. David, Jesse. Joseph 
(father of our immediate subject), Jonathan and Winnie. Joseph, the sub- 
ject's father, was a Confederate soldier during the Civil War. He was the 
father of three children, the subject being the eldest. After the death of the 
father and the close of the war, this little family was sadly separated, the 
subject going into the country, where he worked on farms and became famil- 
iar with the ways of the agriculturist. In 1882 he came to this county, set- 
tling on the Squires farm and for ten years hired out his services to the 
fanners of the neighborhood. He then began farming on the share and suc- 
ceeded so well that in due time he was able to purchase a tract of one hun- 
dred and seventy-five acres, which he retained and tilled for some time and 
upon the sale of it he purchased his present excellent farm. In his business 
methods. Mr. Cole is one of the most progressive farmers of this section, 
giving careful study and thought to every branch of his business. He is de- 
serving of a great amount of credit for the way in which he has forged to 
the front and while his unremitting eft'ort has been directed toward the goal 
of material success, he has never forgotten his duty as a citizen and father 
of a growing family. To this end whatever he could do to forward the 
social, moral, material or educational life of the community has been most 
gladly done and his manner of life and intercourse with his neighbors has 
won for him the kindest regard of all. 

Mr. Cole was married when he came to this count)-, having been joined 
in holy wedlock with Amanda Taylor, daughter of David and Jane ( Blevens ) 
Taylor, on September 29, 1880. Mrs. Cole is a native of Tennessee, where 
for many years her father was employed in the ore mines. The union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Cole has been blessed with four children, the eldest of whom. 
Harget, they were so unfortunate to lose. The rest of the familv. Earl F.. 
Jessie M. and James P., are with the parents. 

Mr. Cole's fraternal affiliation is with the Free and Accepted Masons 



602 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

through the local lodge at Bloomingburg, and he is highly interested in the 
workings of that order. Politically, he supports the Republican party, but, 
while much interested in the party's affairs, has never found much time to 
devote to politics generally. He is at present serving Union township as a 
school director, making a most efficient member of that body. In all the 
affairs of life ■Nlr. Cole is regarded as a man among men. His honor and 
integrity, as well as his energy and abilit3\ are above question, while his 
sincere friendliness has w(m and retains for him an ever-increasing circle of 
friends. 



RAY WILSON. 

One of the most enterprising farmers of h^ayette county, Ohio, is he 
whose name forms the caption of this review. While still a young man, he 
has succeeded in a manner which might well be gratifying to a man twice his 
age. He is thoroughly up to date in all phases of agriculture, employing in 
his business only the most modern methods as approved by science and good 
usage. His farm, containing two hundred and fi^•e acres of as fine land as 
the county boasts, is located on the Columbus pike, about two and one-half 
miles from Washington C. H. Mr. Wilson has recently constructed a com- 
fortable and attractive residence on this farm and all farm buildings are both 
neat and well adapted to their various purposes. 

Ray Wilson was born on April lo, 1887, on a farm located about si^ 
miles south of Washington C. H., being a son of H. W. and Emma J. 
( Cline) W^ilson, the former being a nati^'e of this county also, and almost his 
entire life has been passed within its borders. He has long been one of the 
most prominent farmers of this section. Several years ago he decided to 
seek the favor of Dame Fortune in the western part of the country, but after 
a short sojourn there, he returned to his native state and has since here re- 
mained. He is the father of five children, those other than the subject being- 
Ethel, Verne and Dale, remaining at home with the parents, and Glenn. 

The subject received his elementary education at the Greenville Pike 
school and also on the Circleville pike, east of Wa.shington C. H., finishing 
later in Marion township. He also took a commercial course at the Bliss 
Business College. This liberal education well fitted him for his chosen voca- 
tion of farming, in which he engaged on his own account at the age of nine- 
teen. He first rented various tracts of land, which he tilled, being signally 
successful in his venture. In addition to his home farm, he is now also man- 



FAYETTE COl^NTY, OHIO. 603 

aging- a portion of his father's estate. He makes a speciahy of hreeding and 
selHng Shire horses, in which venture he has met with gratifying success. 

On January 2. 1913, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Marie 
Pavey, daughter of Austin and Ellen ( Burris) Pavey, residents of Sabina, 
this state, being prominent farmers in that locality. One child, Robert 
Pavey, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson October 15, 1914. 

Ever since attaining his majority, Mr. Wilson has gj.ven his earnest 
support to the Republican party, although he has never been a seeker after 
office. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, while that of 
Mrs. W^ilson is with the Methodist Episcopal church, both giving their most 
earnest support to these two church organizations. In the public life of the 
community where he lives, Mr. Wilson takes an intelligent interest, setting 
for himself a high standard of citizenship. He is a man of strong character 
and acknowledged ability and because of these elements and his genuine 
personal worth he enjoys a marked popularity in thelocalit\- honored with 
his residence. 



ELBA WILSON. 



Born during the last year of the Civil War. Elba Wilson has been a 
resident of Fayette county since the day of his birth. He has never been 
seized with the desire to wander, but has been satisfied to spend his career in 
the county which gave him birth. There is no better farming county in the 
state than Fayette, a county which, according to the census of 1910, pro- 
duced $3,129,313 worth of farm products. Consequently, there is no good 
reason why a farmer should want to leave this county to seek his fortune 
elsewhere. The success which has attended Mr. W^ilson's efforts is suffi- 
cient evidence that he has made no mistake in choosing to remain in the 
county where he was born. 

Elba W^ilson. the present road superintendent of Union township, was 
born December 14. 1865. in Perry township, near New Martinsburg. He is 
the son of James M. and Martha (Simmons) Wilson, natives of this county, 
and the parents of six children: Libby (deceased). Wesley. Mrs. Armilda 
Cox, Elba. Mrs. Emma Chaffin and Trustin (deceased). James M. Wilson 
was the son of Wesley Wilson, who was born in Virginia and located in 
Greene count}", Ohio, early in its history. 

Mr. Wilson received a good common school education in the district 
schools of his home township and remained under the parental roof until he 



6o4 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

was twenty-two years of age. He then secured two old horses and started 
to farm on some land belonging to Samuel Hidy. He continued to rent until 
his marriage, when he bought his present farm in Union townshi]j and has 
Ii\ed on this farm ever since. He is recognized as one of the best farmers 
of his township because of his progressive methods. He has ])aid special at- 
tention to stock raising and has been very successful along this particular line 
of endeavor. His farm is well improved and he takes pride in keeping- 
ex erything about him in a neat and attractive manner. 

Mr. Wilson was married October 5. 1887, to Almedia Hidy, the daugh- 
ter of Simon and Mary F. (Adams) Hidy. Simon Hidy was the son of 
(ieorge Hidy, a native of Virginia and an early settler of Union township. 
One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Grace, who married 
Alva McCoy, and has four children, Harry, Lillian, Willard and Marion. 

The Democratic party has claimed the support of Mr. Wilson and he 
lias been one of the leaders in his party for many years, always active and 
foremost in its councils. He served for several years on the school board 
of Union township and at the present time is filling the responsible position 
of road superintendent in his township. Mr. Wilson is a man of pleasing 
personality and is one of the best known and liked men in the county. While 
primarily devoted to his own interests, he has not neglected his duty as a 
member of societ\- and gives his hearty support to all public-spirited enter- 
prises. 



MARTIN L. McCOY. 



A successful farmer and stock raiser and one of the representative 
citizens of the county is he W'hose name forms the caption of this article. 
Martin McCoy has attained his present comfortable station in life by close 
rii)plication to his affairs, being blessed w-ith undaunted courage, energy and 
business ability above the ordinary. His course is especially commendable 
in that he has w'on his w^ay from humble beginning's and while he has 
achieved success along financial lines, he has also so ordered his life as to 
win the confidence and trust of his fellow citizens in e\ery respect. 

Mr. McCo^ was l)orn in Union township, Fayette county, Ohio, on June 
26, 1855, being the son of Abraham and Margaret (Hoppes) McCoy. Abra- 
ham also w^as a native of this county, having been born in Union township 
and was the son of James. The father of James was one of the first settlers 
in the state, coming here in t8t2 from Lancaster countv. Pennsvlvania. He 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 605 

Ii\e(l to iic o;u' luiiidrcd and six years old. Ahrahain. father nF ihi' ininiecliate 
siil)ject, was niie nt the pioneer settlers of this connt\ and was a large and 
prosperous fanner ni his day. He was the father of a family of ten 
ehildren, l^lias, Sarah (Airs. Briggs). John. James. Nancy (Mrs. Melvin), 
Afartin (the immediate sul)ject). Mary (Mrs. Burnett). Allie (Mrs. James). 
F. M. and Mrs. Clara CleYeland (deceased). 

When a boy the subject attended the district schools of his home localit\- 
and from early boyhood assisted the father in the work of the homestead. 
When quite a young man he started (jut in life for himself, finally renting 
and farming the tract of land which he later purchased and where he now 
makes his home. In this home farm he has one hundred and ten acres, all 
in an excellent state of cultivation. In addition to the general farming 
which he does he also is greatly interested in blooded stock. He has a fine 
herd of cattle of the Angus breed and had made more than a local reputation 
for himself in this line. He also gives considerable attention to swine, his 
hogs being the Spotted Poland-China breed. In addition to the home farm, 
he also owns another farm above Washington C. H., containing some three 
hundred and eighty-six acres. Mr. McCoy has labored hard for the success 
which he has w^on, same being commensurate with the amount of energy, 
brain and brawn which he put into his enterprise. 

On November 28, 1883, ^^^- McCoy was united in marriage with Anna 
M. Parrett, daughter of Elias and Sarah (Connor) Parrett, and to their 
union have been born four children. They had the misfortune to lose their 
second born, Florence. Walter, the son. is a graduate of Washington high 
school, taught school for a number of }'cars and is now located in Greens- 
burg, Indiana. His wife was Ruth Allen. Ruth is a graduate of the high 
school, fitted herself for a teacher and is now^ employed in the schools of the 
township. Dorris, the youngest daughter, still remains at home, attending 
school. Mr. McCoy is a man of marked domestic tastes, finding his greatest 
enjoyment in his home and with his family. This family is considered one 
of the leading ones of the community, being broad-minded and interested in 
all that makes for the welfare of their home community. 

Mr. McCoy's political affiliation is with the Democratic party, in the 
affairs of which he takes a commendable interest, and his family are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church except Walter and wife, who are mem- 
bers of the Christian church. Mr. McCoy is one of the sterling men of 
strength of character so essential to the best growth and development of a 
community, gladly giving his influence to promote the social, moral, material 



6o6 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

or educational development of his home locality. During his long and indus- 
trious career, he has not only gained the confidence of his fellow men, but as 
a man of responsibility, upright and honest in his dealings with his fellow 
men, he has gained the confidence and esteem of all who know him. 



BRUCE PINE. 



The man who starts out when he is fourteen years of age to seek his 
fortune will find it if he has the necessary ambition and ability. Such a man 
is Bruce Pine. Avho started out for himself at a time when the boys of today 
are still in school. Beginning at the foot of the ladder, he has earned his 
way to independence solely through his own efforts and therefore is emi- 
nently entitled to recognition in this history of his count}'. Not only has he 
made a name for himself as an efficient farmer, but he has also taken an 
active part in the life of the community about him, thereby earning the 
approbation of his fellow citizens. 

Bruce Pine, the son of George and Ellen ( Irion) Pine, was born Febru- 
ary 3, 1871, at Washingt(ni C. H. His father was a native of Martinsburg, 
West Virginia, and located in Greenfield, Ohio, when he was a young man. 
After his marriage, George Pine moved to the county seat of P^ayette county, 
where he followed his trade of bricklaying and contracting. In addition to 
his other interests in Washington C. H., George Pine owned a farm in Union 
township, where he lived for a time. He and his wife reared a family of 
six children. Charles. Ward. Dudley. Bruce. Glenn and Frank. The father 
and mother are buried in the cemetery at Washington C. FI. 

The education of Bruce Pine was received in the schools of Washington 
C. H. and the district schools of Union township. At the early age of four- 
teen he began to \vork out b\- the month for I^li Post and, although his 
wages were very small, he sa\ed enough within a few years to make a pay- 
ment on a forty-acre farm in L'nion townshi]). He worked on this farm for 
several years and then sold it at a good profit and bought his present farm of 
one hundred and eighteen acres in the same township. He is a systematic 
and careful farmer and gets the maximum results for his labor and is rightly 
classed among the best farmers of the county. 

Mr. Pine was married February 20. igoi. to Laura E. Clifton, the 
daughter of M. J. and Serilda (Mallow) Clifton. Her father was born and 
reared in Ross county, Ohio, and came to Fayette county about twenty years 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 607 

ago. M. J. Clifton is the son of Daniel and Eliza Ann (Rogers) Clifton, 
his father being one of the very first white children born within the present 
state of Ohio. Eliza Ann Rogers was the daughter of John Rogers, who 
was the nephew of Benjamin Rogers, one of the first settlers in the state. 
John Rogers came to Ross county in 1796 from Loudoun county. \'ir- 
ginia, by way of Kentucky, and he helped to build the first cabins in 
Chillicothe in 1796. Isaliella Rogers, the mother of Benjamin, was the oldest 
woman in the state at the time oi her death. Mrs. Pine is one of four chil- 
dren, the others being John M., Charles M. and Arthur B. John lives in 
Ross county and the other two brothers are residents of Fayette countv. both 
being farmers in Wayne township. 

Mr. Pine is a Democrat ])oliticall\', and he and his wife are members of 
the Methodist Eiiiscopal church. 



HOMER A. GARRETT. 



The successful management of a large farm requires a man of good 
executive ability, wise discrimination and excellent judgment, it is the pos- 
session of these qualities which has made Homer A. Garrett a successful 
farmer and, as the manager of the Worthington estate of two hundred and 
fifty acres, he has demonstrated his right to be classed among the most suc- 
cessful farmers of Fayette county. 

Homer A. Garrett, the son of Michael A. and Mary AT (^Haigli; Gar- 
rett, was born in Highland county, Ohio, October 18, 1883. His father was 
born in the same county and was the son of Dempsey Garrett. Seven chil- 
dren were born to M. A. Garrett and wife, Mrs. Lily Bean, John, Edward, 
Overton, Mrs. Cora Cofifman, Homer A, and Burch W. 

The elementary education of Homer A. Garrett was received in the 
district schools of Flighland county. He then attended the Northern Ohio 
Normal at Ada and graduated from that institution. After leaving school 
he located in Pulaski county, Illinois, for a time, when he came to Fayette 
county and took charge of the Worthington estate of two hundred and fifty 
acres in Concord township. This is one of the most producti\e farms of the 
county and under the management of Mr. Garrett is yielding good returns 
each year. 

Mr. Garrett was married Jaiiuar\ 10, 1906, to b'lorence Christine Ogle. 



6o8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the daughter of John and (lertrude ( Forakev ) Ogle: U) tliis union have i>een 
liorn two children, Loren H. and Virginia. 

Mr. Garrett is a Repuhlican. but has ne\er been active in political mat- 
ters. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
are interested in its various actixities. Mr. Garrett is still a young man with 
a long career before him and the success which has attended his efiforts thus 
far indicate that he will one day I)e classed among the substantial men of his 
county. 



GLENN HIRE BROCK 



One of the younger farmers of Fayette count}- in Cilenn Hire Brock, 
who has always lived in the county \\'here he was liorn. except ten years spent 
in Madison county, Ohio. Having receixed an excellent education, he is 
thoroughly in touch with all of the latest methods of agriculture and is re- 
garded as one of the most progressive farmers of the county. He takes an 
intelligent interest in everything pertaining to the farmers" interests and is 
active in all mo^'ement.s wdiich have for their object the effective organization 
of rural interests. More attention is being paid to the farmer by the United 
States government at the present time than ever before and millions of dollars 
are being spent e\ery year by the department of agriculture for the benefit 
of the farmers of the countr^•. Experts are hired to collect all data con- 
cerning farming, and the results oi their investigations are published and dis- 
tributed to the farmers free of charge. s(j that the farmers are thus enal)led 
to have scientific information regarding all [jhases of their work. 

Glenn Hire Brock, the manager of the H. L. Hire estate, was born in 
this county on July t^i, 1886. He is the son of A. J. and Laura (Thomas) 
Brock, natives of Madison count}', Ohio. A. J. Brock is the son of Jackson 
and Sarah ("Little) Brock, natives of A'irginia and early settlers in Madison 
county, Ohio, where they located about 1850. A. J. Brock is a prosperous 
farmer of that county, althcmgh he owns land in Fayette county as well. 
He and his wife ha\e reared a famil}- of three children to maturity, one son, 
Lowell, being deceased. The three living children are Floyd, Glenn H. and 
Eva. Floyd married Merta Mowery and has two children. 

Glenn H. Brock received his education in Madison county, and also in 
Fayette county, finishing the high school course at Jeffersonville, this county. 
He then entered Ohio State University, where he was in attendance rwo 
years, after which he married and took charge of his uncle's large farm in 




GLENN H. BROCK 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 609 

Jefferson township. While attending- schools during the winter seasons, he 
worked on his father's farm during the summer vacations and thus obtained 
an intimate knowledge of all phases of agriculture, so that when he took 
charge of his uncle's farm, in 1909, he was thoroughly conversant with all 
the best methods of farming. 

Mr. Brock was married February 25, 1909. to M}Ttle Watkins, the 
daughter of James A. and Lauretta (Mock) Watkins. Mr. Watkins and his 
wife were early pioneers of Greene county, this state, and have a family of 
two children, Myrtle and Frances. 

Politically, Mr. Brock is a Democrat, but as yet has never been active 
in political matters, the management of his uncle's large farm demanding 
all of his time and attention. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and 
Accepted Masons and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar. He 
is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Grange, while he and his 
wife are both members of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Pythian 
Sisters. 



ALVLN N. PETERS. 



The occupation of farming offers better opportunities today than ever 
before for bright young men. Since the advent of modern labor-saving ma- 
chinery and the attention which is given to scientific farming by the depart- 
ment of agriculture and our colleges throughout the country it is becoming 
easier for the farmer to make a successful career. Seventy-five years ago 
there was not a farm journal or paper devoted to the interests of farmers in 
the country, while today there are hundreds of farm papers in which every 
phase of farming is treated. Volumes have been written on the themes of 
horses, cattle and all kinds of live stock ; an agricultural encyclopedia has 
been compiled, while the United States government has issued through its 
department of agriculture a series of several hundred bulletins which treat 
in detail everything which could possibly interest the farmer. With all of 
these helps it is small wonder that there is an increasing number of our 
young men devoting themsetves to agriculture. One of the scientific farmers 
of Fayette county is Alvin N. Peters, of \\'ayne township, who, although not 
a native of this county, has spent the past fifteen years within its limits. 

Alvin N. Peters, the son of Robert W. and Martha C. (Glasscock) 
Peters, was born October 15, iS>/^. about five miles north of Circleville, 
(39) 



6lO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Ohio, it) Pickaway county. His father was born near Columbus, Ohio, and 
later settled in Pickaway county, where he and his wife reared a family of 
€ight children, John, Mary, Mrs. Anna Waddell, Mrs. Alice Barr, Alvin N., 
Robert G., Lula and Myrtle. All of these children are still living except 
John and Mary. Robert W. Peters served two years during the Civil War 
as a member of the First Regiment Ohio Cavalry. 

Alvin N. Peters was educated in Pickaway county, attending school 
during the winter seasons and assisting his father on the farm during the 
summers. He remained at home until he was married, in February, 1899, 
and then moved to Fayette county, where he and his young wife went to 
housekeeping in Wayne township. They purchased a fine farm of one hun- 
dred and fifty acres, on which they have made many improvements. In ad- 
dition to his farm of one hundred and fifty acres, Mr. Peters operates an 
additional three hundred and fifty acres, and with this large acreage he 
raises a large amount of grain each year and handles several car loads of 
live stock for the market. Being a man of progressive tendencies, he thor- 
oughly understands every phase of farming and justly merits the name of 
progressive farmer. 

Mr. Peters was married in 1899 to Anna Hoppes. the daughter of John 
and Rebecca Hoppes, and to this union have been born two children, who 
are now in school, John R. and Martha L. 

Politically, Mr. Peters is a Republican, but has never been active in 
political matters since coming to this county. Fraternally, he is a member 
of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, belonging to the lodge at 
Greenfield, Ohio. The well regulated life he has led has gained him the 
respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens and justly entitles him to 
representation in the history of his county. 



CHARLES R. McLEAN. 



One of the extensive land owners of Fayette county, Ohio, is Charles R. 
McLean, who owns two hundred and fifty acres in Fayette county and 
operates two hundred and fifty acres more, making a total of five hundred 
acres in this county. The McLean family have been prominent in their 
county history for more than a century and its various members have been 
active in every phase of the gpunty's growth and development. The McLeans 
are of Welsh descent and located in this county in 1810. Mr. McLean is a 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 6l I 

man of wide education and is justly regarded as one of the most progressive 
farmers and ablest business men of the county. 

Charles R. McLean, the son of James A. and Catherine (Briggs) Mc- 
Lean, was born in Washington C. H. on July 31, 1870. His father was 
born in the same city in 1841, and served with distinction in the Civil War as 
a member of Company C, One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio 
A'olunteer Infantry. He enlisted as a sergeant in this company on August 9, 
1862, and was discharged on account of disability arising from sickness after 
serving a year at the front. He was a civil engineer and helped to plan and 
lay out the breast works surrounding Vicksburg, and was present at the 
capture on July 4, 1863. As a civil engineer James A. McLean laid out most 
of the roads in Fayette county and surveyed a large number of the farms in 
this county at difTerent times. James A. McLean and wife were the parents 
of five children, Nettie, Charles R., Lida, Fred and Mary. Nettie is the wife 
of Dr. Charles James, of Denver, Colorado, and has three children, Wathan, 
Charline and Marvin ; Lida is the wife of George Fabb, and has one son, 
Charles; Fred married Louise McMuUen; Mary is the wife of W. H. Riddel 
and has three children, Hildreth and twins, Williams and James. James A. 
IMcLean and wife were both loyal and consistent members of the Presbyter- 
ian church and are now buried in the cemetery at Washington C. H. 

Charles R. McLean finished the common school course at Washington 
C. H. and then entered the University of Kentucky at Danville, where he 
graduated in the classical course. At the age of twenty-one he began farm- 
ing and has since devoted all of his time to agricultural pursuits. That he 
has been remarkably successful is shown by his land holdings. He lives on 
his fine farm in Wayne township. He is one of the most extensive stock 
l)reeders in the county and markets several car loads of live stock annually. 

Mr. McLean w^as married in December, 1904, to Leota Brown, the daugh- 
ter of Jesse Brown and wife, of Clinton county, this state, and to this union 
has been born one daughter, Catherine L. 

Politically, Mr. McLean gives his allegiance to the Republican party, 
but his heavy agricultural interests so occupy his time and attention that he 
has not had the time to mingle in political afifairs. However, he takes an in- 
telligent interest in the issues of the day, and is able to discuss them in a 
manner which shows that he is thoroughly conversant with the problems now 
confronting the American people. He is a man of genial disposition, kindly 
impulses and gives his unreserved support to all measures which have for 
their end the educational, moral or material advancement of his countv. 



6l2 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

WASHINGTON LOUGH. 

Xo profession has made greater advancement during the last century 
than the agricultural profession, and practically all of the disadvantages 
which surrounded the pioneer farmer have disappeared wath the introduction 
of labor-saving" machinery. It now takes less labor to operate a farm of 
fifty acres than it did to operate a farm of ten acres fifty years ago, and in- 
ventions are coming into use every year which are helping the farmer to in- 
crease his efficiency. Ohio is recognized as one of the best farming states in 
the Union and no county in this state has better or more progressive farmers 
than has Fayette count}'. Among the hundreds of farmers who have made 
this county famous as an agricultural section there is no one more worthy 
of a place in this volume than Washington Lough, the proprietor of tw'o 
hundred and t\\enty-two acres of fine land in Wayne township. 

Washington Lough, the son of John W. and Mary E. (IMains) Lough, 
was born February i6, 1879, in Buckskin township, Ross county, this state. 
His father w^as a native of Franklin county, Virginia, and after serving 
throughout the Civil War in the Confederate army under Gen. Robert E. 
Lee, came to Ohio and located in Ross county. John W. Lough and wife 
reared a family of six children to maturity, Bert, George, Ada. Washington, 
Charles and Margaret. Bert, who is deceased, married Medora Rogers, and 
left his widow with one daughter, Dorothy B. ; Ada, deceased, was the wife 
of Arthur Parrett ; George married Elizabeth Lavery. and has two sons, 
Richard and Weldon, and a daughter, Mildred E. ; Charles married Mary 
Beatty; Margaret is the wife of x\rthur Kline and has two children, Louise 
and Harold. 

Washington Lough received part of his education in the district schools 
of Ross county and completed it in the Salem school in the same countw 
He spent the summer seasons of his boyhood days working for his fa- 
ther on the home farm and remained under the parental roof until he was 
married, at the age of twenty-nine. He came to Fayette county in 1894 and 
located on his present farm of two hundred and twenty-two acres in Wayne 
township, where he has since resided. He is a progressive farmer, believes 
in introducing modern methods of tilling the soil and has met with marked 
success in his efforts. He handles a large amount of li\'e stock each year and 
has been very successful as a stock raiser. 

Mr. Lough was married September 2. 1898, to Mary C. Douglas, the 
daughter of James M. and Rose (Porter) Douglas. Mr. Douglas was born 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 613 

in Highland county, Ohio, where he is now living the retired life of the 
farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas were the parents of two children, Laura L., 
and Mary C, the wife of Mr. Lough. The one child of Mr, and Mrs. 
Lough, James Norman, is deceased and is buried at Greenfield. Ohio. 

Politically, Mr. Lough is an independent and has never taken an active 
part in political matters. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members 
of the Presbyterian church, in whose welfare they take a deep and abiding 
interest and to whose support they are liberal contributors. Fraternally, he 
is a member of the Greenfield lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. 



RUSSELL B. McCOY 



One of the younger farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who is making an 
enviable record as a progressive farmer is Russell McCoy, the proprietor of 
one hundred acres of fine land in Wayne township. He started in life with 
nothing but the ambition to succeed and by good management and close 
economy has attained to a definite degree of success. His family have been 
residents of this county for nearly a century and have always been prominently 
identified with the material, educational, social and religious welfare of the 
county. With such a heritage it is but natural that Air. McCoy should be a 
man of influence in his community, and that he is influential is shown by the 
high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. 

Russell B. McCoy, the son of Thomas and Sarah (Hackney) McCoy, 
was born in the township where he is now li\ ing on December lo, 1879. His 
father is the son of Thomas and Alargaret McCoy and was liorn in Wayne 
township, his father coming to this county early in its history from the state 
of Virginia. Thomas McCoy. Jr., and wife were the parents of five children, 
Mary, Russell B.. Glenn T. and Oscar E. : the twin of Glenn died in infancy 
and the other four are still living. 

Russell B. McCo}' first attended the Forest Dale school in his home 
neighborhood and finished his education in the schools of Good Hope in his 
township. Like all sons of farmers, he worked on the home farm during 
the summers while he \\ as attending school in the winter time. In this way 
he was well grounded in all of the man}' details which go to make the suc- 
cessful farmer. He was married at the age of twent}-two and rented a farm 
for nine years : then he bought his present fine farm of one hundred acres in 
Wavne townshi]'). He has placed many im[)rovements on the farm since ac- 



6i4 favp:tte county, oiiio. 

quiring" it and now owns one of the most attractiAC and well-kept farms in 
the township. He raises all of the crops \\hich are usually grown hi this 
locality and gi\es due attention t(j the rraoi.ij, of live stock as well. He is a 
good manager and has met w ith a success commensurate with his efforts. 

Mr. McCoy was married Decemher 24, ]90], to Bertha Walker, the 
daughter of Samuel and Alargaret Walker. To this unic^n there have been 
born three children, Melba. Geraldine and Thomas. 

Politically, Mr. McCoy is a member of the Republican party and has 
always taken an active part in local ])olitical matters. At the ])resent time he 
is serving" on the school board of his township and fa\oring every measure 
which will help the schools. Mr. McCoy is still a young man and has a long 
aiid prosperous future before him. The success which has attended his eft'orts 
thus far indicates that he will e^■entually become one of the most substantial 
men of his county. He is a man of pleasing" personalit}- and has a host of 
friends who admire him for his many excellent qualities. 



EDWARD W. DOUGLAS. 

Although still a young man, Edward W. Douglas has shown marked 
ability along several different lines. Receiving" a good etlucation, he started 
in at the age of nineteen to teach school and while teaching saved his money, 
investing it in land. He farmed for a time and then added a garage and an 
automobile department. 

Edward W. Douglas, the son of Asa and Mary ( Beal ) Douglas, was 
born November 20, 1883, in Madison township, this county. His father was 
a native of Madison county, Ohio, and is the son of J. \\'. and iVIary Elizabeth 
Douglas, early pioneers of that county. J. W. Douglas and wife reared a 
family of ten children, Asa, Mrs. Kate Fitzgerald, Mrs. Jane Deal, Mrs. Kemp 
Hunter, Mrs. Margaret Camp, Perry, John, William, Richard and Mrs. 
Harley Downs. x\sa Douglas came to Fayette county when a young man 
and later located in Benton countv, Indiana, near Fowler, where he li^'ed for 
a time and then returned to Fayette county and settled in Madison township, 
on a farm of one hundred and seventeen acres one mile from Madison Mills. 

Edward W. Douglas was educated in the Benton county. Indiana, and 
Favctte county, Ohio, schools, finishing" his education at Aladison Mills. At 
the age of nineteen he began teaching" school in Jefferson township and taught 
for a few )ears. He then decided t(^ engage in fanning on his father's farm. 



FAYETTE COL'NTV, OHIO. ()l^ 

He has also secured the agency for the L'err\' autonioljiles and has sold a 
number of these machines throughout the county. He has a garage htted 
with niachinerA', where a large amount of automobile repairing" is done. He 
divides his attention between his farming interests and his automobile busi- 
ness, with the result that he is building up a reputation as one of the business 
men of his section of the county- 
Mr. Douglas was married in 1903 to Stella Ritenour, the daughter of 
Joseph and Jane ( N'anorsdall ) Ritenour, and to this union have been born 
four children, Freda M., Sherrill J., Russell V. and Max. 

Politically, Mr. Douglas is a Democrat, l)ut his lousiness interests have 
prevented his taking a very active part in political matters, although he is 
interested in everything which pertains to good government. Mr. Douglas 
is a man of genial personalit}\ honest convictions on matters of public wel- 
fare, and a man \itall\' interested in the life of his community 



CHARLES K. SHP:RiDAX. 

One of the largest and at the same time one of tlie youngest farmers of 
Fayette county is Charles E. Sheridan, who is now farming seven hundred 
acres of fine land in Concord township. He is a man of excellent education 
and has made a pronounced success of his chosen life work because he has 
applied the latest and most scientitic methods in his work. It is safe to say 
that he has made more striking advances along agricultural lines than any 
other man in the county. Commencing six years ago, he has been overseer 
of the C. C. Lewis tract of seven hundred acres. 

Charles E. Sheridan, the son of William H. and Alaggie (Craig) Sheri- 
dan, was born August 12, 1889, on the farm where he is now living. He is 
the second child of William Sheridan. He received his elementary educa- 
tion in the district schools of Union township and then attended the graded 
schools at Bunker Hill, Ohio. Lie then entered Bliss Business College, Co- 
lumbus, Ohio, where he attended two years. He married at the age of nine- 
teen and at once began farming for himself in Concord township. He 
settled where he now lives in 1898 and has since been overseer of this farm 
since his father retired in 1908. It is needless to say that he has been suc- 
cessful since he took charge of this farm, for its size demands ability of the 
highest kind. He is one of the largest stock raisers of the county and ships 
several car loads of stock annually- 



6l6 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mr. Sheridan was married September 19, 1908, to Augusta Grandle, 
the daughter of Reuben and Hattie (Ruff) Grandle. Airs. Sheridan's par- 
ents were born in Staunton, Virginia, and located in Highland county sev- 
eral years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Grandle reared a family of eight children, 
Preston, Loberta, Bucke}-. Daisy, Lydia, Arthur, Harley, and Augusta, the 
wife of Mr. Sheridan. 

The Democratic party claims the support of Mr. Sheridan, l)ut his 
heavy agricultural interests have demanded all his time and attention, so 
that he has not had the time to engage actively in political affairs. However, 
his party nominated him for the position of assessor of his home township 
and he was subsequently elected to this office. He is now filling it to the 
entire satisfaction of all concerned. Fraternally, he is a member of tlie 
Patrons of Husbandry. 

Mr. Sheridan is one of the most successful breeders of good horses in 
the county. He is the owner of "Homer G," bred on his ranch and which 
has a mark of 2 :i6V^, and he takes great pride in his horses and promises to 
produce some A-aluable strains. 



LUTHER M. IRWIN. 



There arc individuals in every community who, by virtue of pronounced 
a1)ility and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and com- 
mand the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by persever- 
ance and a directing spirit, two virtues which ne\'er fail, such men always 
make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personality serves as a 
stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. Having never 
been seized with the roaming desires that ha\e led many of Fayette county's 
men to other fields of endeaxor and other states, where they have sought 
their fortunes, Luther M. Irwin has de\-oted his life to industries at home and 
has succeeded remarkal)ly well. 

Luther M. Irwin, the son of Cornelius and Lavina (l^way) Irwin, was 
born in Paint township, in b^ayette county, October 11, 1851. biis father 
was born in Frederick county, ]\lar\land. and came with his ])arents to this 
county when he was thirteen years of age. The famil}- first located in Faint 
township and there Cornelius grew to manhood. Cornelius was the son of 
John and Leah R. (Ervin) Irwin, and, on reaching manhood was married to 
Lavina Tway. the daughter of Nathaniel and Sophia (Salmon) Tway. He 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 617 

located on a farm near Yatesville, in this county, after his marriage, where 
'he reared a family of eleven children, an infant son (deceased), William A., 
Leah R. (deceased), Mrs. Elizabeth S. Smith (deceased), Nathaniel (de- 
ceased), Luther M., Mrs. Letha C. Durflinger. John (; deceased), Mrs. Salina 
M. Walker (deceased), Mrs. Sarah J. Blue and Mrs. Mary A. Gibson. 

The education of Mr. L'win was received in the common schools and at 
the age of nineteen he began to work out by the month. A year later he en- 
gaged in the stock business and while following this line of business lived 
near London, Ohio, for two years. He moved to a farm near Yatesville 
after his marriage in 1874. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising 
until 1895, when he sold out and moved to his present location, one mile east 
of Jeffersonville on the State road. This farm comprises one hundred and 
seventy-five acres of fine farming land and is in a high state of cultivation, 
which entitles Mr. Irwin to a place among the progressive farmers of the 
county. 

Mr. Irwin was married March 29, 1874. to Mary Jane Jones, the daugh- 
ter of William and Olevia (Hidy) Jones, and to this union there have been 
born five children. Mrs. LelaMae Wissler, William H. (deceased), Mrs. 
Ethel Culbertson, Mrs. Mary Hill, and one who died in infancy. 

Politically. Mr. Irwin is a Republican and has always been active in 
local political matters. He is now serving as school director and township 
assessor and is filling these positions to the satisfaction of all his fellow 
citizens irrespective of their political affiliations. Fraternallv, he is a member 
of the Free and Accepted Masons and has attained to the degree of Knight 
Templar. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and the Knights of Pvthias. 



CHARLES ST. CLAIR BROWNE. 

The Browne family lias traced their ancestry back four generations and 
during the one hundred years of family history various members of this 
family have occupied positions in business and professional life which have 
cast credit upon themselves. The first member of the familv concerning 
whom definite information has been preserved is Aaron Burr Brown, who 
was liorn in New York state and came to Illinois in pioneer days, settling in 
Lawrence county. He came to Illinois when a young man and operated a 
mill on the Ambaugh river in Lawrence county. Some time after locating in 
Illinois he married Elizalx^h Wilcox, who was born at Fort Massac, Illinois, 



6i8 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

on the Ohio river. They were married at Massac, and from there nioved to 
Missouri and located about thirty-five miles south of St. Louis, where he 
found employment at the lead mines. Aaron Burr Browne later returned to 
Illinois and died at Metropolis, in that state, in 1858, at the age of sixty-five 
years. His wife died at the same place in 1856, at the age of fifty-six. Thir- 
teen children were born to this couple, seven daughters and six sons. After 
the death of his first wife in 1856, Aaron Burr Browne married the second 
time and had a son by his second marriage, but he died four months after his 
marriage. It is known that the father of Aaron Burr Browne was Joseph 
T. Browne, but the passing of time has left the family without any definite 
information concerning him. The father of Elizabeth Wilcox, the wife of 
Aaron Burr Browne, was Isaac D. Wilcox. 

One of the six sons born to Aaron Burr Browne was George Westcott 
Browne, who was the grandfather of Charles St. Clair Brown, with whom 
this history subsequently deals. George Westcott Browne was born Febru- 
ar}- 28, 183 1, in Lawrence county, Illinois, four miles from Vincennes, Indi- 
ana. He was reared at Metropolis, Illinois, from the age of six years, and 
attended the old-fashioned subscription schools for a short time and lived 
upun the farm until he was eighteen years of age. He then engaged in boat- 
ing on the Ohio and Mississii^pi riAers, and worked on the fiat boats and 
steamers which made trips up and do\^■n the ri\'ers to and from New Orleans. 
He would take a fiatl)oat of produce to New Orleans and return home on a 
steamboat. He followed this line of business until his marriage in 1855. and 
even continued it a >hort time after his marriage. He then moved from 
Metropolis, Illinois, to Vincennes, Indiana, and while living at the latter place 
enlisted in 1863, for service in the Civil War, becoming a member of the First 
Indiana Heavy Artillery, Company M. He served until January, 1866, and 
was sent to Fort Pickens, Florida, to guard prisoners there. Some time late 
in the year ]866 he was mustered out of the service and returned to Cairo, 
Illinois, and engaged in the hotel business in that place, and for the next forty 
years he followed this line of endeavor at different places. He came to Wash- 
ington C. H. April I, 1885, and took charge of the Cherry hotel as proprietor, 
running it for five years, and later he was engaged in the same business in 
other cities in Ohio. He returned to \A'ashington C. H. in August, 1901, and 
has lived here most of the time since. George Wescott Browne was married 
March 15, 1855, at Vincennes, Indiana, to Emily C. Sellers, the daughter of 
William and Rebecca (McLean) Sellers, and to this union five children were 
born, William, George, Fannie A., Charles and one who died in infancy. 



FAVETTK e■()L'N'|■^■, oil lO. ' 6 1 (J 

Cieori;!' I^lwin Urownc, the father of Charles St. Clair L)rovvne, was horn 
in ?\letropolis. Illinois, and lived in that city. For several years he operated 
his father's dairy and snpplied boats on the Ohio river with milk and butter. 
He afterward enga<,^ed in the hotel business, which he followed in Indian- 
apolis, Cincinnati, Dayton, Washington C. H. and Springfield. In recent 
years he located in Cincinnati, where he is now the proprietor of the Browne 
hotel, which is located at the sc^utheast corner of Sixth and Elm streets. This 
is a modern hotel of eighty rooms and enjoys a good patronage. The wife 
of George Edwin P.rowne is Blanche Curtis, the daughter of Thomas J. and 
Augusta Ann (Cheek) Curtis, natives of Ohio. Thomas J. Curtis was born 
in Cincinnati and lixcd there for many years, where he operated a dyeing and 
cleaning establisliment, and here his death occurred in middle life, as did his 
wife. Thomas j. Curtis and wife were the parents of five children, Lulu, 
Blanche, Stella, Celeste and Willis. The father of ]\Ir. Curtis established the 
first dyeing and cleaning house in Cincinnati, (ieorge Edwin Browne and 
wife are the parents of three children, Charles St. Clair, Ralph Curtis, and 
Georgia Edwina, who died when she was four years of age. 

Charles St. Clair Browne, the present proprietor of the Arlington hotel, 
in Washington C. H., Ohio, was born in Silverton, Hamilton county, Ohio, 
January 6. 1887. He lived in Cincinnati until he was six years of age and 
then went to Jamestown, Ohio, where his parents lived for three years. From 
the latter place the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, and four years later located 
in Washington C. H. His father was a hotel man and moved from chv to 
city, and this accounts for the many places in which Charles St. Clair Browne 
lived. From Washington C. H. the family moved to Cincinnati, and two 
years later Charles St. Clair Browne located in Ne\\ ^^ork city for a year. 
From Cincinnati his father moved to Springfield, Ohio, wliere he remained 
for two years and a half in charge of the St. James hotel. The family then 
returned to Washington C. H., where they remained until the father took 
charge of the Browne hotel, in Cincinnati. 

Charles St. Clair Browne has had the benefit of the best educational ad- 
vantages which the country provides. He received his education in manv 
cities and finally graduated from the Steele high school, Dayton, and after- 
wards from the Jacobs Business College, of Dayton. He then entered Ohio 
Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and after one year took a special 
course in business manual training in Columbia University, of New York citv. 
He has lived in hotels all his life and has a remarkably large acquaintance 
with the traveling public, a fact which makes him an excellent hotel man. 

As his father and various other members of the family engaged in the 



620 t FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

hotel business it was but natural that Charles St. Clair Browne should take 
up the same line of business, and on September 12, 1913, he became pro- 
prietor of the Arlington Hotel in Washington C. H., a strictly modern hotel, 
and enjoys a large and continuously increasing patronage. The fact that Mr. 
Browne has lived all of his life in hotels has given him an intimate knowledge 
of every detail of the business. 

Mr. Browne was married June 5, 191 2. to Emily Louise Meyer, the 
daughter of August and Caroline Meyer, both natives of Germany and now 
residents of Brooklyn, New York. Mrs. Browne was born in Brooklyn, New 
York, and attended the public schools of that city._ After completing the 
course in the public schools she entered the New York School of Applied 
Design, an art school Avhich has a national reputation. Shortly after finish- 
ing the course in this school, she was married. August Meyer, the father of 
Mrs. Browne, was born in Hanover, Germany, i\ugust 23, 1849. Her mother, 
Caroline (Kresbach) Meyer, was born in Saxon Hansen, near Frankfort, 
Germany, on November 6. 1853. Mrs. Meyer came to America when eight 
years of age and grew to womanhood in New York city, wliere she was mar- 
ried. Mr. Meyer came to America at the age of seventeen, and was a com- 
mission merchant in New York city until his death, on March i, 1904. Twelve 
children were born to August Aleyer and wife, seven of \vhom are living, 
Dora, Fred, Julius and Alexander (twins), Helen, Edward and Emily. 

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Browne was Louis Kresbach and his 
wife was Elizabeth (Koehl) Kresbach, l>oth lieing natives of Germany. Louis 
Kresbach and wife were the parents of six children, Caroline, Rosa, Eliza- 
beth, Antoinette, Emily and Annie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles St. Clair Browne are the parents of one son. 
Charles St. Clair Browne, Jr. Mr. Browne is a member of Confidence 
Lodge No. 265, Knights of l^ythias. and also of the A\'"ashington Lodge, 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. While in college he was a mem- 
ber of the Phi Kappa Psi Greek-letter fraternity, being initiated while a 
student at Ohio Weslevan L"ni\'ersit}'. Politically, he has never been very 
active and is not a partisan in any sense of the word. Although he was reared 
a Republican, yet he has reserved the right to vote for the best man, irre- 
spective of their political affiliations, and in so doing he feels that he is best 
serving the interests of his fellow citizens and his country. 

Mr. Browne is a young man with a bright future before him. A man 
of culture and refinement, he makes an ideal hotel man and is well deserving 
of the high esteem in which he is held by the citizens of this citv and the 
traveling public. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 621 

HENRY MARK. 

Improvement and progress may well be said to have formed the key- 
note of the character of the man whose name appears above, a well known 
and influential farmer and stock raiser of Union township, Fayette county. 
He has not only been interested in advancing his individual affairs, but his 
influence has been felt in the upbuilding of the community life. His family 
are among the early settlers of this community, his father having come to 
this county in 1811, and therefore a history of this section is more or less 
a history of the Mark family, for they have left their impress on the life and 
institutions of this locality throughout the years. Throughout his long 
career, Mr. Mark has been known as a man of industrious habits, striving to 
keep abreast of the times in every respect, and as a result every mile post of 
the years he has passed has found him further ad\'anced, more prosperous, 
and with an increased number of friends. 

Henry Alark, residing on his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
located four miles south of Washington, was born on No\ember 29, 1834, 
in Concord township, this county. He is a son of Joseph and Naomi (Bush) 
Mark, the former of wdrom was a native of Pennsylvania and first came to 
this county in iSii when he was a small boy, being brought here by his par- 
ents. He was born in Pennsylvania on October i, 1800, his father being 
Peter Mark. Peter was a man of influence and high ambition who left the 
impress of his strong character upon the early life of this locality. When 
he first came here he bought a tract of land, for which he paid one dollar 
and a quarter per acre, and the same land is today worth two liundred dollars 
per acre. At the time he obtained possession, it was virgin soil and largely 
covered by heavy timber. This he set about removing and for several years 
endured many of the hardships and privations of the early pioneers. As the 
years passed by, acre by acre his farm was reclaimed from the grasp of the 
wilderness and became one of the very best in this section. F^ollowing in the 
footsteps of Peter Mark came his son Joseph, the father of the immediate 
subject of this sketch. Joseph also was a man who desired the betterment of 
conditions surrounding the lives of those about him and who also did all 
within his power to raise high the standard of civilization in a new territory. 
Joseph was the father of a family of eight children, the immediate subject 
Ijeing the fourth child in order of birth. The others were Cynthia, Anthony, 
Mary, Lewis, Rachael, Harriet (deceased) and Huldah. 

When a vouth Mr. Mark took advantage of such schooling as the time 



622 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and locality afforded and assisted the father in the work of the home place 
until he reached the age of twenty-three. At that time he was desirous of 
starting in life for himself and rented land which he tilled during the sum- 
mer seasons. He had also fitted himself for a teacher and for many winters 
was employed in several of the schools of the neighborhood. He made his 
first purchase of land in 1870 and later purchased the farm where he has 
since made his home. He has always been considered one of the most pro- 
gressive and up-to-date farmers of the section and has also made consider- 
able money on live stock, having something more than a local reputation in 
tills line. 

On April 15, 1858, Mr. Mark was united in marriage with Amanda 
Rowe, their union being blessed with eleven children, Alice, Joseph, Eliza, 
Ada, Charles E., Naomi, Fredrick, Mary and Ruth; two died in infancy. 
Mr. Mark's religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church and, 
politically, he has endorsed the principles of the Republican party for a great 
number of years. Mr. Mark is a man who has passed the allotted three score 
vears and ten and in the community where he has lived for so many years 
he is held in the warmest regard by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. 



WILLIAM WAGNER ALLEN. 

The Allen family have been a noted one for many generations. It 
is not definitely known who was the founder of the family, but some members 
of the family who have investigated the genealogy of the Aliens believe that 
it was Alan, Earl of Brittany, who came to England with William, the Con- 
queror, in 1066. The name itself has undergone many variations in spelling 
although it is now limited to three or four fomis, Allen, Allan, Alan and. 
Alleyne. The French spell it Allain, the Scotch use the form Alan or Allan, 
while the commonest form in England and America is Allen. It is not pos- 
sible to follow the ^'arious families of Aliens in America in this brief sketch, 
l3Ut it is interesting to note that Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, was 
one of the most illustrious to bear the name. 

The first iVlleii to locate in Fayette county was Adam Allen, who was 
l)orn in 1754. He was one of the earliest settlers in this county and died here 
in 185 1 at the advanced age of ninety-seven, his wife. Nancy, passing away 
in 1854. How many children \\ere born to Adam antl Nancy Allen is not 
known, but one son. Adam, became the father of William Wagner Allen, with 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 623 

whom this narrative deals. Adam Allen, Jr., married Rosannah Hidy, a 
daughter of one of the earliest pioneers of Fayette county. It seems that 
Adam Allen, Jr., was born in this county in the year 1812, but it may have 
been earlier. 

William Wagner Allen, the late pioneer of this county, was the son of 
Adam and Rosannah (Hidy) Allen. He was born in Jefferson township, 
Fayette county, Ohio, August 19. 1842, and died at his home in Milledgeville, 
Ohio, March 24, 1895. He received the limited education which the country 
schools of his day afforded and remained at home until the opening of the 
Civil War. He then was so anxious to serve his country that he ran away 
from 'home to enlist. He enlisted September 6, 1861, in Company K. Forty- 
fourth Regiment Ohio A'^olunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as a corporal. 
Previous to this enlistment he has served three months as a member of the 
Twenty-fifth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His time in the Forty- 
fourth Regiment was up in January, 1864, and as soon as he was mustered 
out of this regiment he re-enlisted in the Eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer 
Cavalry, serving in the cavalry service for a year and three months after the 
close of the war. While in the cavalry he was captured near Huttonsville. 
A'irginia. and placed in Libby prison at Richmond, Virginia. He remained 
there about two months and Avhile being transferred to Andersonville prison 
made his escape. He wandered about in the mountains of eastern Tennessee 
for fortv-one days before coming in touch with the Union forces at Knox- 
\\\\e. His record as a soldier was a brilliant one and he was signally honored 
bv having the Grand Army post at Milledgeville named in his honor. 

At the close of his service in the army he returned to his home in Fayette 
county. Shortly afterwards he went into the livery business at Cedarville, 
Ohio, and lived there for several years. He traveled for a few years, after 
which he settled on his farm in Jasper township. Later he moved with his 
family to the county seat and engaged in the contracting business, building 
manv of the best roads in the county. His last years were spent in Milledge- 
ville, near which was located his fine farm of one hundred and twenty-fi\e 
acres. 

Mr. Allen was married January 3, 1878, to Rachel Anna Rankin, the 
daughter of Smith and Parthenia (Wood) Rankin. His widow is still living. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born four children. Forest May. Fred Herman, 
A[ary Elizabeth and Harrv Rankin. Forest May received a good education 
in the common and high schools and then entered a school of dramatic art at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, from which she later graduated. She is now living with 
her mother in Milledgeville. Fred H. married Jennie Hunt, deceased, and 



624 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

has one daughter, Jane. Mary E. became the wife of Fred Jones and has 
three children, Marian, Ellen and Susan. Harry R. married Eva Carr and 
has one daughter, Martha. 

Mr. Allen was always interested in political matters and as a Republican 
was one of the leaders of his party in this county. He served as supervisor 
of Jasper township and for many years was on the school board of his town- 
ship. He was a public spirited man and interested in all measures pertaining 
to the general welfare of his community. Fraternally, he was a member of 
the Free and Accepted Masons and had attained to the commandery degrees. 
Personally, he was a man of essentially domestic tastes and was never happier 
than when surrounded by his family. No place on earth had for him so 
much fascination, or afforded him more comfort, than his own family and 
home circle. He was a true and loyal citizen and upright in all of his busi- 
ness relations. Benevolent in spirit, seeking to aid the needy in whatever 
way lie could, he was a man universally lieloved by everyone who knew him. 



DAVID W. TVVAY. 



The career of the late David W. Tway presents many interesting lessons 
which should be an inspiration to the coming generation of Fayette county. 
It is not possible to go into the details of his early life, but it is enough to 
say that it was filled with hard and laborious work. For many years he oc- 
cupied a prominent place in the affairs of his community and no one took a 
more active part in its civic life. That he did his part well and nobly can- 
not be gainsaid, and, though he has passed away, yet his deeds speak for 
him and his wholesome influence will be felt in the community for many 
years. 

David W. Tway, the son of John and Elizabeth (McMillan) Tway. 
was born in Fayette county, Ohio, January 29, 1856, and died here September 
19, 1905. He was always a farmer and left at his death one hundred and 
twelve acres, which was owned before him by his father, including a splendid 
house and well kept place. 

Mr. Tway was married November 22, 1883, to Mary C. Stuthard, the 
daughter of Isaac and Anna (Law) Stuthard. To this union were born tw^o 
children, Ida B. and Besse. Ida is the wife of Eben Thomas and Besse is 
the w^ife of Stanley Little. Ida B. was a student at Oxford College for some 




DAVID W. TWAY 



FAYi'71'rK (;;)^XT^■, 0:110. 625 

time and later lau^ht scliuol for ei^lu years before her marria.^e. Mi', and 
Mrs. Little have one daughter. Margaret Elizabeth. 

Mrs. Tway's father was a native of Fayette county and died at the 
early age of thirty-one, leaxing his widow with h\e children. Perry, Mary 
C, Ella and two who died in early childhood. Perry, who is deceased, mar- 
ried Lavina Badger and had hve children, Leroy, Ida. Essie. David and Fay. 
Of these five children, Lero\- and Ida are married. Lerov married Sallie 
Bowsher and has four children. Xina, Irvin, ]\Januel and Leroy, deceased. 
Ida is the widow of Clarence Wissler. The mother of Mrs. Tw^ay was the 
daughter of Marmaduke and Mary (Watson) Law, natives of Pennsyh-ania 
and of German descent. 

Mr. Tway was a charter member of the Grange at Madison Mills and 
was very much interested in its early growth. He w^as a valued member of 
the Knights of Pythias and had passed all of the chairs in his local lodge. 
Mr. Tway was devoted to his family and was never happier than when 
seated by his ow^n fireside. As a public spirited citizen he w'as in hearty 
sympathy with all movements which had for their purpose the betterment of 
the life of the community in which he lived. There was that in his career 
which made him loved and respected by all with whom he came in contact- 
and no man of his day was held in higher esteem. 



GEOR(tE F. SLEMOX. 



In the year 1873 ^ small lad of eleven years of age started out to seek 
his fortune in Pike county, Ohio, and that he has succeeded in a remarkable 
manner is shown by his farm of two hundred and twenty acres which he now 
owns in Marion township, Fayette county, Ohio. It was at this tender age 
that George F. Siemon began his struggle alone and today there is not a more 
highly respected citizen in Fayette county. He has not won his success M'ith- 
out hard and consecutive w^ork and well merits a ])lace among the self made 
citizens of his county. 

George F. Siemon, the son of John Adams and Anna C. (Bahn) Siemon, 
was born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1862. His father was a native of Ger- 
many and came to America when a young man. locating in Pike county near 
Waverly. Moses Siemon, the father of John A., never left his native land 
and lived all of his davs in Germanv. John A. Siemon was twice married. 
(40) 



626 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

By his first marriage there were born five children, and to the second marriage 
were born seven children. The subject was the third son of the second 
marriage. 

George F. Siemon was educated in the schools of Jackson township. 
Pike county, Ohio, although his education was necessarily very limited owing 
to the fact that he had to leave school at the age of eleven to work. At this 
early age he started to work for the farmers in his immediate vicinity. He 
grew up on the farn.i and was inured to the hardest kind of manual labor 
from a mere boy. He continued to work by the day until he was married 
and then rented land for twenty years near Chillicothe, Ohio. In, 1910 he 
came to Fayette cuunty and bought two hundred and twenty acres in Marion 
township where he is now living. He has worked for everything he has and 
is deserving of great credit for his success so attained. He has paid some 
attention to stock raising, but made most of his money in grain farming. 

Mr. Siemon was married to Anna Elizabeth Young, the daughter of 
John V. and Catherine (Steinhour) ^'oung. To this union there have been 
born four children, all of whom are now in school, Rena E., Nora C, Edna 
M. and Elsie L. 

Mr. and Mrs. Siemon are devoted members of the German Reformed 
church and the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Fraternally, Mr. Siemon is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. In politics, he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, although 
he has never been an aspirant for any jniblic office. Mr. Siemon is strictly a 
self-made man. who has made his own way from the bottom of the ladder. 
His clean and wholesome life and his high reputation for honesty, and in- 
tegrity have won for him the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens. 



CHARLES C. GLAZE. 



The Glaze famil}- ]ia\e been residents of bayette county, Ohio, since 
1829. and during the eighty-five years which have elapsed since then they 
have taken a very prominent part in everything pertaining to the development 
of Marion township. Charles C. Glaze, whose history is here presented, is a 
worthv representative of this sterling family and has always so conducted 
himself as to merit the high esteem and admiration in which he is held by 
e\ery()ne who knows him. 

Charles C. Glaze, the son uf John C. and Mary J. (Smith) Glaze, was 
born Septeml)er 16. iS(}2, on his father's farm in this township. John C. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 627 

Glaze was born December 17, 1827, in Ross county, this state, and is the son 
of Benjamin and Sarah (Core) Glaze. Benjamin Glaze was born in Pendle- 
ton county, Virginia, in 1805, and was the son of George and Catherine Glaze, 
who emigrated from Pendleton county, Virginia, to Ross county, Ohio, in 
18 18, and thence to Union township, Fayette county, near Bloomingburg, the 
year following. Benjamin Glaze was the founder of the United Brethren 
church in Marion, and his life was that of a pure Christian, his generosity 
becoming proverbial. His death occurred August 21. 1862, and that of his 
wife, Sarah (Core) Glaze, occurred August 6, 1864. 

John C. Glaze was married January 9, 1853, to Mary Smith, the daugh- 
ter of Edward Smith and wife, of Union township. Mary Smith was born 
June 2, 1832. John C. Glaze and wife were the parents of three children: 
Jesse B., born May 2'], 1855 ; Edward A., born October 25. 1858. and Charles, 
whose history is here recorded. 

Charles C. Glaze received his education in the Glaze school, and early in 
life decided to follow the occupation wdiich had made his father so successful. 
He worked at home until his marriage, and then purchased a farm of one 
hundred and seven acres in Marion township, which is situated about ten 
miles northeast of the county seat. 

Mr. Glaze was married on the 24th day of March, 1896, to Minnie Fore- 
man, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Beatty ) Foreman, and to this union 
has been born one daughter, Essie, who is attending school. 

Henry Foreman, a retired farmer now living in Bloomingburg, Ohio, 
was born December 2, 183 1, in Bourbon county, Kentucky, the son of James 
and Eliza (Allen) Foreman. James Foreman was born in Virginia, and 
came to Kentucky with his parents when but five years of age. James Fore- 
man and wife were the parents of three sons, John, Aaron and Joseph. 

Henry Foreman was married four times. His first wife was Mary 
Bowman, by whom were born two children, Emma and Clara. The second 
wife was Mary Beattv, and to this union three children were born, Elizabeth, 
deceased, Harry and Minnie. Harry married Maud Smith, and has three 
children, Catherine, Elsie and Mary. The third marriage of Mr. Foreman 
was to Sarah Vesey, and the fourth marriage was to Sally Evans. 

C. C. Glaze is a Democrat in politics, and has always been interested in 
local political affairs. At tlie present time he is serving as a member of 
the school board of Marion township. He is a man of high ideals and takes 
an interest in everything which pertains to the general advancement of the 
locality in which he li\es, thereby winning the admiration and respect of his 
fellow citizens. 



628 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

CAPT. O. E. HARDWAY. 

One of the proniiiienl men of I'ayette county is Capt. O. E. Hardvvay, a 
captain in the Ohio National Guard and a prosperous farmer of Union tow n- 
ship, where he was born. A man of broad education and tuiHtary training, 
he has appHed himself to the profession of farming with a zeal which has been 
attended with success. Although a comparatively }'oung man, yet he has ac- 
cumulated a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and while primarily 
eijgaged in advancing his own material interests, he has nevertheless taken 
an active part in the life of his county and state. He serxed in the Spanish- 
American War in 1898 and was first duty sergeant in Company E, Fourth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Porto Rico canipaign. 

O. E. Hardway, the son of William and Margaret f Xebbergall ) Hard- 
way, was born March 15, 1877, in Union township. His father, the son of 
John Hardway, was a native of Nicholas county, West X'irginia, as were the 
Nebbergall family. Rebecca Elughes, the mother of Margaret Nebbergall, 
located in J^'ayette county in its early history, and is now buried at the Sugar 
Grove cemeter)-. William Hardway and wife reared two children, Capt. O. 
E., and Emma, who died at the age of sixteen. 

Captain Hardway rtceived. a good common school education and then 
entered the Ohio Northern Normal School at Ada, where, in addition io his 
classical studies, he took the full course in military training". After leaving 
the nonnal school he returned to the farm and has lived there ever since with 
the exception of tlie time which he has spent with the National Guard 

Captain Hardway enlisted in Company E, Ohio National Guard. August 
20, 1895, ^^■'' ^ private, and was made a corporal on July 29, 1896. He was 
promoted to the rank of sergeant December 4, 1896, and on April 25, 1898, 
enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Regiment as first dut}' sergeant. On October 
27. 191 3, he was elected captain of Company M. Fourth Regiment of the 
Ohio National Guard, and has been since serving in that capacity. 

Captain Hardway has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres two 
and one-half miles from Washington C. H.. where he raises all of the crops 
common to this section of the state, and also engages in the breeding and 
raising of live stock. His farm is well improved and is equipped with all 
of the latest machinery for successful farming, so that he is thus enabled to 
get results from his efforts. 

Ca])tain Hardway was married No\ember 28. 1900. to Anna Mae Are- 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 629 

hart, the daughter of Amaljah L. and Mary (Taylor) Arehart, and to this 
union has been born one son, Leo Emmett. 

PoHtically, Captain Hardway is independent, while, religiously, he at- 
tends the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, he is identified with the 
Masonic order, holding membership in Fayette Lodge No. 107, Fayette Chap- 
ter No. 103, Royal Arch Masons, and Fayette Council No. 100, Royal and 
Select Masters ; he also belongs to Confidence Lodge No. 265, Knights of 
Pvthias. 



FRANK E. HAINES. 



It is pleasing to record the careers of men who have raised themselves 
from humble circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in their 
respective communities. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by 
reason of their personal qualities and left the impress of their individuality 
upon the business and growth of their places of residence, build monuments 
for themselves more enduring than marble or granite shaft. Such a man is 
Frank E. Haines, who, starting in life at the foot of the ladder, has so man- 
aged his affairs as to become one of the most substantial farmers of Union 
township. 

Frank E. Haines, the son of Mahlon, Jr., and Clara E. (Chalfont) 
Haines, was born January 23, 1867, in Highland county, Ohio. His father, 
who was the son of Mahlon and Lavina (Cooper) Haines, was born in Fay- 
ette county, growing to manhood in this county and then settled in Highland 
county, this state, after his marriage. Mahlon Haines, Sr., was born near 
Zanesville, Ohio, in 1796, and was one of the first white children who was 
born within the present state of Ohio. He brought his family to Fayette 
county early in its history and lived in one house for more than sixty years. 
He is buried at the Pleasant Hill cemetery. Mahlon Haines, Jr., and wife 
reared a family of seven children: Mrs. Elizabeth Barr, of Highland county; 
I'rank E., whose history is here recorded; Mrs. Anna Fishback, of Green 
township, this county; Austin, of Highland county, this state; Claude, of 
l^nion township, this county; Marcus, of Highland county; Mrs. Mary Shimp, 
of Ross county, Ohio. 

Frank E. Haines attended the district schools of Highland county during 
his boyhood days and remained at home assisting with the work on the farm 
until he reached his majority, after which he worked by the month for farm- 
ers in Highland county. In 1899 he came to this county and purchased his 



630 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

present farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres in Union township about 
three miles from the county seat. Since acquiring this farm he has placed 
many extensiA'e improvements upon it in the way of buildings, fencing and 
drainage. He is a skillful and careful farmer and so rotates his crops as to 
maintain his farm at its highest efficiency. 

Mr. Haines was married October 19, 1891, to Augusta L. Cockerell, and 
to this union have been born three children, Iva, Juanita and Beotta. Iva is a 
graduate of the Washington C. H. high school, while the other two daughters 
are still in attendance in the high school. 

Politically. Mr. Haines is a Republican and has always been active in 
local affairs. At the present time he is a member of the school board of 
Union township and gives the office his conscientious attention. He and his 
family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are prominent in 
all church and Sunday school work. Mr. Haines is a class leader in the 
church and gives his hearty support to all of the various enterprises with 
which the church is identified. Mr. Haines is a man who would win his way 
in any locality where he might locate, for he has sound judgment, coupled 
with great energy and business tact, and with the upright principles he has 
always maintained he would have been successful wherever fate might have 
placed him. His career is that of the self-made man, and such has been his 
conduct at all times that he well merits the hearty commendation which his 
neighbors and friends have always accorded him. 



ALCESTER LUCAS. 



One of the representative and public-spirited citizens of Fayette county 
is the well known gentleman whose name appears above. He has made his 
influence felt for good in his community in Union township, being a man of 
sterling worth whose life has been closely interwoven with the history of the 
community in which he resides and whose efforts have always been for the 
material advancement of the same as well as for the social and moral welfare 
of his fellow men. The well regulated life he has led, thereby gaining the 
respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens, entitles him to representation 
in a biographical work of the scope intended in the present volume. 

Alcester Lucas, who is putting the best of his ability into the successful 
raising of hogs on his one-hundred-acre farm in Union township, Fayette 
count^•. Ohio, is a native of this same countv, born on March 24. 1861, on the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 63 1 

old Dewitt farm. He is the son of \V. Al. and Jeanelte (White) Lucas, the 
former of whom was born in Ross county, this state, and was brought to 
this county by his parents while still a small boy. Practically his entire life 
has been passed in this county as he received his education mostly in the local 
schools, later being engaged in farming in this same locality. W. M. Lucas 
is the son of Richard Lucas, one of the pioneers of this section. When he 
obtained his farm it was covered with virgin forest and he set about the labor- 
ious task of clearing the land and winning a home for his family. In all of 
this he w-as eminently successful, being regarded as one of the leading men 
of his day in this section. 

The subject was the eldest of a family of eight children, the others being 
Sherman, Clara, Lela, Sina, Cora, Jesse and Orbin. When a lad he attended 
the Stewart school, receiving a good practical education, and during his school 
days he assisted the father with the work of the farm during all his spare 
time. After leaving school, he worked for three years in Washington C. H., 
later devoting his entire time and attention to farming. In the spring of 
1913 he again returned to the farm, after having spent three years in the 
butcher business. It is now his desire to devote all his time to raising hogs 
for the market and in this venture he gives every indication of attaining most 
gratifying success. His farm, located on the Bogges road, is admirably 
adapted for this branch of business. 

In Feljruary, 1887. Mr. Lucas was united in marriage with Leota Jane 
Snyder, daughter of William and Harriett (Lease) Snyder, born in this 
county in 1864. Her education was obtained mainly in the schools of Wash- 
ington C. H., her entire life having been passed within the borders of this 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are the parents of four children, two of whom, 
Ona and Lona. twin daughters, are deceased. Walter, the oldest son, mar- 
ried Gale Margaret Brown and has one child, Helen. William, the youngest 
son, still remains at home with the parents, attending school. 

Politically, Mr. Lucas is identified with the Republican party and has 
long been known as one of its most active members in this locality. He is at 
present serving Union township as trustee and for a number of years was a 
member of the school board. He is known as a public-spirited man, being 
anxious to promote the welfare of the neighborhood along social, moral, ma- 
terial and educational lines and is willing to back up his theories by active 
service if need be. While not a member of any church organization, Mr. 
Lucas' excellent principles of life are founded on the teachings of same and 
he gi\'es both moral and financial support to the various church societies. Mr. 



632 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Lucas has during his hfe tinie shown himself worthy of the high esteem in 
which he is held. His life has been filled with activity and his efforts have 
secured for him a conspicuous and honorable place among the citizens of the 
community. His integrity and unpretending bearing have elevated him in 
the confidence of his fellow citizens and his influence has always been exerted 
in the interest of the best things of life. 



EVAN LEWIS L'^NES. 



One of the best remembered citizens of the past generation in Fayette 
county was the late Evan Lewis Janes, a gallant soldier of the Civil War and 
a life-long resident of this county. Certainly it may be said that he was a 
man of strong and active sympathy, with a warm and ardent feeling for his 
fellow men, and these excellent characteristics unconsciously drew him an 
unusual number of devoted friends upon whom he could always rely and 
who revere his memory now that he has passed from earthly things. He 
ever enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who knew him because of his 
friendly manner and interest in public affairs and upright living. 

Evan Lewis Janes was born in this county December 7, 1840, and died 
on his farm adjoining Jeffersonville, October 10, 1906. He was the son of 
William P. and Mary (Mock) Janes, natives of Virginia and Ohio re- 
spectively. His parents were married in this county about 1829 and reared 
a family of thirteen children, Marjorie, Joanna. Abel H., John W., Douglas, 
Oliver, Eldora, Clara, Rosetta, Evan L., Sarah, Olivet and Mary. 

Evan L. Janes was given such education as was afforded by the common 
schools of his home neighborhood and, with the exception of three years' 
service in the Civil War, lived upon the farm where he was born all of his 
days. He enlisted August 7, 1862, in Company C. Ninetieth Regiment Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, and served until he was finally mustered out June 21, 
1865. His regiment participated in many of the hardest fought battles of 
the Civil War and he was ever found faithful when duty called. Immedi- 
ately after the close of the war he returned to this county and began farming 
and continued in agricultural pursuits until his death. 

Mr. Janes was a life-long Republican in politics and was frequently 
honored by his party \\ith positions of trust and responsibility. He was 
elected township trustee in 1878, and served in this capacity for two terms. 
He was also county commissioner for three terms, or for over nine years, 
and was infirmary director of the county. He was always actively interested 




EVAN L. JANES 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 5^^ 

in the educational matters oi the county and served on the school board of 
his township for man_y years, durin- which time he favored every measure 
which he felt would benefit the schools in any way. In all of these official 
positions he administered his duties in an efficient and conscientious manner 
and rendered satisfactory service, not only to his party, but to all citizens, 
irrespective of their political affiliations. 

Mr. Janes was married March \y, 1870, to Margaret Scjuier, the daugh- 
ter of Nathaniel and Elanore (Allen) Squier, early pioneers of this county. 
Nathaniel Squier was the son of William and Sarah (Caldwell) Squier, and 
he and his wife reared a family of ten children: Amanda, Justice, James. 
William, Madison. Jane. Sarah E.. Margarette, Marabah Anna and Martha.' 
Mr. James and wife were the parents of two children. Harry L. and Grace 
G. Harry L. married Nina Rease, and has two children. Robert L. and 
Janet; Grace G. is the wife of Frank E. Wilson, and has one daughter, lanice 
Margaret. 

Mr. Janes assisted in the organization of the Grand Armv post at 
Jeffersonville, and in view of his distinguished services in the Civil War the 
post was named for him. For many years he was the post commander, and 
while in this position was active in everything pertaining to the welfare of 
the old soldiers. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, as are his wife and children. Mr. Janes was genial and social by 
nature and the simplicity and cordiality of his manners invited friendship. 
Hospitable by nature, he was cordially responsive to all social claims and his 
home was attractive to all who were numbered among his friends. The 
death of such a man is a great loss, not alone to his intimate associates, but 
the people of the community ah^ays feel a sense of a distinct personal be- 
rea\ement. He left to his family the rich memory of an unstained name 
and to the county where he spent his entire life he left the record and example 
of a long and well-spent life. 



JESSE B. LININGER. 



The farming land of Fayette county. Ohio, ranks with the best of that 
state, and its farmers are as progressive and up-to-date in their methods of 
agriculture as those in any part of the United States. Fayette count}- is 
essentially an agricultural county. It has no mining industries and com- 
paratively little manufacturing. The farmers of this county produce more 
than three millions of dollars' worth of products each year, and as a result 



634 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

more than half of the farms operated by owners are free from mortgage 
encumbrances of an}' kind. One of the leading farmers and stock raisers of 
Marion township is Jesse Lininger, who is the renter of his father's farm of 
two hundred acres of fine land on the Circleville pike. He is a man who has 
not only been actively engaged in agriculture during all of his life, but has also 
been deeply interested in the civic life of his community as well, and at the 
present time is filling the responsible position of to\Miship trustee. 

Jesse B. Lininger, the son of Michael and Adeline (Holloway) Lininger, 
was born in Ross county, this state, near Austin, (3ctober 6, 1874. Michael 
Lininger is the son of AA'illiam and Catherine (Hyer) Lininger, natives of 
Virginia and early settlers in Ross county, Ohio, where they located about 
1812. Michael Lininger located in Fayette county several years ago, and is 
now living the retired life of a farmer in New Holland. Marion township, this 
county. ]\Iichael Lininger and wife were the parents of twelve children, ten 
of whom are still living : John, Mrs. Mary Noble, Mrs. Lida Britton, Mrs. 
Jennie Chaffin, Jesse, Charles, Russell, Ernest, Mrs. Catherine Campbell and 
Mrs. Bertha Campbell. The two deceased children are William and Etta. 

Jesse Lininger received part of his education in the schools of Ross 
county and completed his schooling in the Fayette county schools. He re- 
mained on the home farm until he was married at the age of twenty-six, and 
then bought his present farm of two hundred acres, on which he has since 
resided. His farm is well improved in every respect, and by close attention 
to his interests Mr. Lininger has brought it to a high state of productivity 
and has the satisfaction of seeing it yield satisfactory returns year by year. 

Mr. Lininger was married January 4, 1900, to Bertha Ward, the daugh- 
ter of Willard and Anna (Myers) AVard. Mr. Ward came from Fairfield 
county, this state, and located in Fayette county several years ago. He and 
his wife reared a family of ten children, all of whom are still living. Mrs. 
Nellie Andrews, Mrs. Bessie Lininger, Mrs. Bertha Lininger, Henry, Mrs. 
Mary Hartley, Fred, Durbin, Robert, Charles and Sadie. Two children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lininger, Gladys and Forrest. 

Politically, Mr. Lininger is affiliated with the Republican party and has 
always taken an abiding interest in political matters, particularly those con- 
cerning local affairs. His party nominated him for the position of trustee 
of Marion township, a fact which speaks well for his general standing as a 
citizen. He was subsequently elected to this official position and is now 
filling the office in a manner which indicates that he is a man of ability. Mr. 
Lininger is a man of strong character and always takes his stand on the right 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 635 

side of all questions concerning the welfare of his community. By so doing 
he has earned the esteem of his fellow citizens to a marked degree and merits 
inclusion among the representative men of his township and county. 



JOHN E. DEWITT 



The life of the twentieth-century farmer has been freed from most of the 
hardships which faced the farmer of a half century ago. The introduction 
of labor-saving machinery has brought about a remarkable change in agri- 
cultural methods and the farmer is now enjoying a life of comparative ease 
when compared to w^hat his forefathers had to contend w'ith. Not only has 
the use of machinery revolutionized farming, but the telephone, rural mail 
service and automobile have put him in a jjosition to participate in city life as 
never before. One of Fayette county's farmers who is thoroughly enjoying 
life is John E. Dewitt, of Union township, a man who has been identified with 
the history of this county for nearly sixty years. 

John E. DeWitt, the son of Peter Grim Worthington and Margaret 
(Beard) DeWitt, was born April 27, 1857, in Wayne township, in this county. 
His father was born in the same towaiship and lived there all of his days. 
Peter G. W. DeWitt and wife reared a family of four children, Flem, Erastus, 
Mrs. Mary Kaylor and John E. 

The Wayne township district schools gave John E. DeWitt all of his 
education. As a boy he worked on his father's farm during his summer 
vacations and wdien he left school he remained on the home farm helping his 
father. At the age of thirty he commenced renting land and shortly after 
bought his first farm in Wayne tow^nship. Before acquiring his present farm 
in Union township he owned farms in Marion and Madison townships. His 
present farm of sixty acres is located about three miles from the county seat 
on the Columbus road and is in a high state of cultivation. He does intensive 
farming and raises excellent crops of everything usually grown in this section 
of the state. 

Mr. DeWitt was married December 23. 1890, to Sarah Stringfellow% the 
daughter of John and Jennie (Fannon) Stringfellow. His wife was a native 
of Ross county, Ohio. The Stringfellow family originally came from the 
state of Virginia. Mr. Stringfellow and w^ife w-ere the parents of six chil- 
dren, John, Henry, Charles, Mary, Sarah, and Lulu B., deceased. To Mr. 
and Mrs. DeWitt have been born two children, Mabel and Dwnght. Mabel 



636 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

received an excellent education and is now a public school teacher m this 
comity. The son is now attending school in Washington C. H. 

Politically, Mr. DeWitt is a Democrat, but has ever had any political 
ambitions. He has preferred to leave the cares of politics to others although 
he gives his unreserved support to all measures which promise to benefit his 
communitv in any way. He is a man of genial disposition and has a host 
of friends in the county where he has spent his whole career. 



CLYDE COOK. 

One of the younger agriculturists of Fayette county, Ohio, is Clyde Cook, 
who is the owner of one hundred and sixteen acres in Marion township and 
farms about three hundred acres of land altogether. He is a native of this 
county and has never been seized with the desire to forsake the county of his 
birih, believing that it presented as good opportunities for advancement as 
any other place he might find. The success which has followed his efforts 
indicates that he was not mistaken in resolving to remain in this county. 
Although still a young man, he has so impressed his individuality upon the 
citizens of his township that he has been elected trustee of Marion township, 
and is now filling that responsible position with honor to himself and credit 
to the citizens who elected him. The best citizens are those who take an 
active part in the civic life and for this reason Mr. Cook is eminently entitled 
to representation in this history of his county. 

Clyde Cook, the son of Jacob and Letitia (Britton) Cook, was born in 
L'mon township, this county, on the old Clifton farm, July 2;^, 1882. He has 
one sister living, who married Roy Garrison and has three children, Louise, 
Kuth and Ralph. The other three children born were Clarence and Charley, 
l)oth deceased, and one who died in infancy. 

The education of Mr. Cook was received in the Durham and North Star 
schools in this county, finishing his educational training at the latter place. 
He remained at home until he was nearly twenty-two years of age. and then 
began farming for himself. After his marriage he bought his present farm 
of one hundred and sixteen acres, on which he has since been living. As a 
farmer he ranks among the best of his county and township and keeps fully 
al)reast of the latest ad\ances made in agricultural lines, thereby securing the 
maximum results from his efforts. 

Mr. Cook was married Deceml:er 13, 1006, to Margaret Sclieonholtz, the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 637 

dauij;hter oi Ilcni)- and Jennie (Alexander) Scheonholtz. AJr. Schoenholtz 
was horn in Ross connt\ , ( )hio, the son of Henr\- and Sarah (Wassoii) 
Schoenlioltz, nati\es of (iermany. Airs, (,'ook has two sisters. Airs. Ethel 
Dawson, Marie, at home, and one hrother. Teemon. Air. Cook and his wife 
have two children, Hazel and Frank. 

Politically, Air. Cook is a Democrat, hnt has ahva}'s been niterested in 
local politics, and at the present time is serving as trnstee of Alarion town- 
ship, giving his fellow citizens careful and conscientious service. Fraternally, 
he is a member of the Free and Accepted Aiasons. Air. Cook is essentially a 
self-made man and has attained his success solely through his own efforts. 
His life strikingly exemplifies what can l^e accomplished 1)\ a man of energy 
when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles. 
Successful in everything which he has undertaken, respected in scjcial life, he 
has always discharged his duties in a manner becoming an intelligent, liberal- 
minded citizen of the community, and has therefore earned the good will and 
regard of all who know him. 



JOHN LININGER. 



A self-made farmer and stock raiser of Alarion township, Fayette county, 
Ohio, is John Lininger, who, by his own efforts, has accumulated a farm of 
three hundred and twenty-five acres. Although not a native of this county, 
yet practically all of his life has ];een spent within its limits. By the exercise 
of those qualities of perse\erance. economy and business integrity, he has 
achieved a success which stamps him as a man of more than ordinary ability. 
His entire life has been spent in agricultural pursuits and his success is the 
result of consecutive effort, well planned and thoroughly worked out. 

John Lininger, the son of Alichael and Adeline (Holloway) Lininger, 
was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 25, 1862. His father was a native 
of Ross county, this state, and is a son of William and Catherine (Hyre) 
Lininger, William Lininger being a native of Virginia. William Lininger 
was the son of Fred and Eva Lininger, also natives of Virginia. Twelve chil- 
dren were born to Alichael Lininger and wife: John, Mary, Etta, Lida, Will- 
iam, Jennie, Jesse, Charles. Russell. Ernest. Kate and Bertha. Of these chil- 
dren two, Etta and William, are deceased, and two others. Jesse and Charles, 
are represented bv biographies in this volume. 

John Lininger was educated in the district schools of Ross county, and 



638 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

remained at home until his marriage, and then began hfe for himself by rent- 
ing land in Fayette county, where he had come with his parents when a boy, 
and later he bought a farm and has since added to it until now he has three 
hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Marion township, where he now re- 
sides. Most of his attention is given to the raising of a high grade of live 
stock, in which line of activity he has been very successful. He is a reader 
of the best agricultural literature, and in this way keeps in close touch with 
the latest advances in agricultural science, putting to practical use whatever 
will result to his advantage. 

Mr. Lininger was married January 23, i8go, to Ida Rowe, the daughter 
of -\braham and Emma (Johnson) Rowe, and to this union has been born one 
son. Charles, who is now attending school in his home neighborhood. Mrs. 
Lininger died January i, 1898, and Air. Lininger married, April 18, 1900, 
Flora Posey, the daughter of P. C. and Ella F. Posey, of WMlliamsport, Ohio. 
Mrs. Lininger was a graduate of the Williamsport high school and taught in 
Pickaway county school two years before her marriage. 

The Republican party has received the undivided support of Mr. Lininger 
and in its councils he has always taken a prominent part. Although he has 
always been busy with his agricultural interests, yet he has found time to 
devote to the civic life of his community and at the present time is serving as 
a school director. He is a man with whom everyone likes to associate, due to 
his kindly manner and genial disposition. 



LUTHER G. COCKERILL. 

Among the enterprising, progressi\'e and successful farmers of L'nion 
tCAvnship, Fayette county, Ohio, is the gentleman whose name appears at the 
head of this sketch. This famil)- name is one which is associated with the 
earliest historv of this county and the bearers of this name have ever been 
among the leading citizens of this locality. Mr. Cockerill resides on his fami 
of two hundred and ten acres of land, splendidl}' located on the Greenfield 
pike about three miles from Washington C. H. He also owns one himdred 
and sixty-one acres located just south of his home place and his entire pos- 
sessions bear ready witness to his progressive agricultural method and his 
business abilit}'. 

Luther G. Cockerill first saw the light of day on November 20. 1873, in 
Perry township, this county, being the son of Jacob S. and Hannah (Limes) 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 639 

Cocker ill. Jacob Cockerill was also a native of Perry township, born in 
1839, the son of Thomas and Sylvitha (Cochran) Cockerill. Thomas was 
born in 1812 or 1813 and was one of the first white children born in the state 
of Ohio. Luther, the immediate subject of this sketch, was one of a family 
of ten children, being the fifth in the order of birth. The others are: Oney, 
who became the wife of John King; Settle, Mrs. Patton; Augusta, Mrs. 
Haines; Elmer, who resides on the family home place in Perry township; 
Walter ; Fletcher, deceased ; Laura, Mrs. Rodgers ; Daisy, and Ernest, also a 
resident of Perry township. 

Mr. Cockerill received his elementary education in the district schools 
near the home in Perry township, later taking a more advanced couse in the 
university at Ada, Ohio. From the time he was a small boy, and later on 
during vacation periods, he assisted the father in the work about the home 
farm and in this way early accjuired a practical knowledge of agriculture. 
After finishing his schooling and desiring to start out in life for himself, he 
rented a tract of land from his father, which he tilled for two years. About 
that time he was married and for nine years after marriage he rented land 
from his father-in-law. Marion Parrott. His first purchase consisted of one 
hundred and fortx-eight acres, which he so managed as to make it pay for 
itself in a remarkably short time. Mr. Cockerill has the reputation of being 
one of the best farmers of the communit}- and in the conduct of his business 
he employs only such methods as have been approved by long usage or by ex- 
periments along scientific lines. He has attained a most gratifying degree of 
success, quite commensurate with the thought and energy he has brought to 
bear in his undertaking". 

On November 12, 1899, Mr. Cockerill was united in marriage with 
IMaud McVey-Parrott, daughter of Ir^'in and Alsina (Zimmerman) McVey 
and legally adopted daughter of Marion and Hulda (Wright) Parrott. Her 
own parents were farmers of this county and the father saw active service 
during the Civil W'ar, being a member of the Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry. They were the parents of ten children. Mrs. Cockerill 
being the youngest of the family. Ida, the eldest, is dead ; Ina is Mrs. Hyman 
DeBruin; Turner resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Minnie is Mrs. Charles Shaw; 
May is deceased : William resides in St. Joseph, Missouri, as does also Grant ; 
Frank has long been a resident of Iowa and Charles is located at Dallas, 
Texas. When Mrs. Cockerill was only one year old the mother of this large 
and growing family died and one year later the father passed into the great 
beyond. This left their large family entirel}' on their own resources, most 



640 FAYETTE COUNTY, OTIIO. 

of tlieni being of a helpless age, and in this way the children became scattered 
practically all over the country. Mrs. Cockerill, the baby of the family, 
found a place in the hearts and home of Marion Parrott and was reared as 
their own child. 

do Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill have been I)orn six children, Anna G., Ruth 
Irene, Jacob Marion, Irvin Perry, diaries Luther and Walter Herman, the 
oldest of v^hom and a little son, lr\'in Perry, Imve been removed from the 
home by death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill are members of the Metho-' 
dist Episcopal church and are among those most actively interested in for- 
warding the work of that organization. Politicall}', Mr. Cockerill gives 
stanch support to the Republican party and he takes a deep and intelligent 
interest in all public questions, though not in any sense a seeker after puljlic 
office. Mr. Cockerill can honestly claim all the honor accorded him for what 
he has accomplished, for he has won his own \va}' and is now- one of the 
substantial men of the community as a result of his close application to busi- 
ness and his persistency. He is well known tliroughout the county and has 
a host of \Aarm friends, for his life has been honoral)le in e\'er\' respect 



MARTIN LUTHER DICKEY. 

It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man 
who has won a definite goal in life, whose career has been such as to com- 
mand the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such, in brief, is the 
record of the well-known agriculturist and stock raiser whose name heads 
this brief sketch, than whom a more po]mlar or whole-souled man it would be 
difficult to find within the limits of P\ayette county, wdiere his entire life has 
been passed and where he has labored not only for his own individual ad- 
vancement and that of his immediate family, but also for the improvement of 
the entire communit} , whose interests he has ever at heart. 

Luther Dickey, owner of eighty-five acres of excellent land and now 
living in practical retirement after a busy life, was born on October 31, 1855, 
in this county, on the old Peterson farm in Madison township. He is a son 
of the Rev. John Parson Alexander Dickey and Hannah Caroline (Peterson) 
Dickey, the latter of whom was born on June 4, 1828. The Rev. John 
Dickey was a native of this state, born near South Salem, in Ross county, 
on May 4, 1828, the son of Alexander and Jane (Henry) Dickey. When 
a youth he attended the schools of Ross cotmty, such as they were in that 




MARTIN L. DICKEY 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 64I 

day, later receiving a higher education at the old academy in South Salem. 
He was a minister of the Presbyterian church and was accounted a well edu- 
cated man, having been an earnest student throughout his life. He was a 
man of broad sympathies and kindly heart v\'hose influence for the better 
things of life was far-reaching. To him and his good wife was born a 
family of six children, the subject being the second of the family, and he 
and his brother John are the sole surviving members thereof. Those who 
have passed from this life are Jennie, Hattie, Nellie and Edith. Hattie 
died in Delaware while attending college and is buried in Bloomingburg. 
Nellie's first husband was Charles Sturgeon, by whom, she became the mother 
of four children, Marie, Edith, Ephraim and Josephine. Her second hus- 
band w^as Charles McQuay and by him she had one son, Forrest. This 
family of children were young at the beginning of the Civil War, but in 
spite of that fact the Rev. John Dickey felt constrained to join the forces 
fighting for the preservation of the Union and, with that thought in mind, 
marched to the front as a private in Company D, One Hundred and Four- 
teenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his regiment being assigned to 
the Army of the Cumberland. Previous to going to the front, the family 
had moved to this county, but during the absence of the husband and father 
they returned to their former home in Ross county. After the close of the 
war and the return of the Reverend Dickey, the family again came to this 
county, where they continued to make their home. 

Luther Dickey first attended the schools of this county and later those of 
Ross county while his father was in the army, finishing his studies at Bloom- 
ingburg. He was an ambitious young man and was most devoted to his 
books, his desire being to become a teacher. Fie succeeded so well that 
when but sixteen years of age he was placed in charge of one of the schools 
of this county. From his early boyhood he had been familiar with the work 
about a farm and by the time he Avas twenty-one years old he had decided 
that agriculture and not school teaching would be his life vocation. To that 
end he commenced renting land for farming purposes, his first venture being 
on the old Peterson farm, and in that line of work he has been ever since 
engaged. While he owns but eighty-five acres, he, in company with his son 
Ernest, manages about three hundred acres, a great deal of their efifort being 
expended on the raising of live stock. As a producer of hogs, Mr. Dickey 
has an enviable reputation and has liad for many years. While he has very 
largely gi\en over the management of the business to his son and calls him- 
self retired, he still is closely connected with every phase of his business 
(41) 



642 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

In politics, Mr. Dickey is a Democrat, keenly interested in party affairs, 
although he has nexer aspired to public office for himself. However, for a 
time he was a school director, tilling his chair with satisfaction to all con- 
cerned. His fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Woodmen of America 
and he is also one of the foremost Grangers of this section. 

Mr. Dickey chose as his wife Eliza A. Larrimer, with whom he was 
united in matrimony on March 10, 1880. She is a daughter of John and 
Esther (Edward) Larrimer and was born in Paint township, Fayette county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dickey are considered amongst the foremost citizens of this 
district, both being anxious to advance in every way within their power the 
interests of their friends and neighbors. Into the home have come two 
children : Ernest, associated with the father and who lives in Bloomingburg. 
Ernest has one child, a son Max, his wife before her marriage being Bess 
dinger. Albert William, the youngest son of the subject, is still attending 
school. 



FRANK HUTSON. 



A representative farmer and stock buyer of Marion township, Fayette 
county, Ohio, is Frank Hutson, who is known as one of the alert, progressive 
and successful agriculturists of his count}. His whole career has been de- 
voted to agricultural pursuits, and the years of his residence in the county 
where he was born have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration 
on the part of his fellow citizens, owing to the clean and wholesome life he 
has led and the worthy example he sets to the younger generation. He is 
descended from a pioneer family of the county, a family which has always 
stood for righteous living. Although still a young man in years, he has 
alreadv demonstrated his right to be included among the best farmers of his 
township, and it is safe to predict a prosperous future for him. 

Frank Hutson, the son of Rufus and Emma (Vesey) Hutson, was born 
March 6, 1884, on the Nathan Vesey farm. His father was a native of 
Jeffersonville. Ohio, and was a lifelong farmer and prominent citizen of the 
community in which he lived. Rufus Hutson and wife were the parents of 
three children. Homer, Edward and Frank. 

The district schools of the county were attended by Frank Hutson dur- 
ing his boyhood days, attending the Klever school and later the Fairview 
school in Wayne township. As a lad he assisted his father on the home 
farm during his minority and, marrying at the age of twenty-two years, at 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 643 

once began the management of his father's farm. This he has been suc- 
cessfully operating for the past eight years with a success that shows that 
he is a man of ability and wise discretion. In addition to his regular farm 
duties, he is largely interested in the buying and selling of live stock, a ven- 
ture whch has proven very profitable to him. His farm is well equipped 
with all of the latest machinery for scientific agriculture, and by keeping in 
close touch with the best agricultural literature of the day he secures the 
maximum results from his efforts. 

Mr. Hutson was married October lo, 1906, to Jessie E. Thompson, the 
daughter of George and Ella Harley, and to this union has been born one 
daughter, Helen Elizabeth. 

In the success of the Democratic party Mr. Hutson has always been much 
interested and, while favoring all measures tending towards good govern- 
ment, yet has never been active in political matters. He and his wife are 
faithful attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. 
Hutson holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias. Ele is a man of 
essentially domestic tastes and is devoted to his home interests, taking an in- 
telligent and personal interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his 
community, and he is regarded as a man of high ideals and strength of char- 
acter. He is a genial man, easily approachable and gives stability to the 
locality where he has chosen to live. 



MARTIN PLYMIRE. 



In so brief a sketch as this must of necessity be, the biographer finds it 
difficult to do justice to the career of a man who has led an active and busy 
life, who has attained a gratifying degree of success in his chosen vocation 
and at the same time attained a position of relative distinction in the com- 
munity with which his interests are allied. Peculiar interest attaches to the 
subject of this sketch in that he can well claim to be a self-made man, one who 
•bv' his own efiforts has raised himself from an humble beginning to one of 
the most prominent citizens of Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio. 

Martin Plymire. who owns a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five 
acres located on the Palmer road four miles from Washington, was born near 
Sabina, this state, on December 4, 1852, being a son of John and Margaret 
( Wilson) Plymire. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and, when 
not more than a boy, came to this county in company with several of his 



644 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

brothers who came here to locate. He was the father of a family of ten 
children, namely; William, Mary (Mrs. Hage), Susan, Samuel and Philip 
who live in Sabina ; Martin, the immediate subject of this sketch; Joshua, liv- 
ing at Goldsmith, Indiana; John W., David, and Ormind, deceased, who was 
the wife of John Marsh living near Sabina. She was the mother of three 
children, the eldest of whom was her son Ora, who married. 

When a boy, Mkrtin Plymire attended the school of the neighborhood, 
commonly known as the Locust Grove school. Here he received his ele- 
mentary education, later attending Sabina high school. He fitted himself for 
a teacher and for four years was engaged as an instructor of youth. How- 
ever, this profession was not entirely to his liking and inasmuch as his 
earliest training had been in the work that relates to a farm he soon turned 
his attention to agriculture and in that line has been eminently successful. 

On July 13, 1876, Mr. Plymire was united in marriage with Sarah Coil, 
daughter of Elias and Mahala (Rankin) Coil, both of whom were earl}- 
settlers of the county, having come from their native state of Virginia. The 
mother was one of the early and faithful members of the Sugar Creek 
church. To Mr. and Mrs. Plymire have been born four children, Mary E., 
Elmer and Cora, remaining at home, while Orvil, the youngest, married 
Osie Ford and lives on the farm. All of Mr. Plymire's children went when 
small to the Buck school, later attending at Camp View. The family is 
regarded as one of the leading ones of the community and its members are 
highly respected by a large circle of friends. Mr. Plymire carries on 
general farming and also devotes considerable attention to the raising oi 
live stock, in which branch of agricultural work he is highly successful. The 
family are members of the Methodist Protestant church and are active in 
circles of the local organization. Politically, Mr. Plymire has always given 
his support to the Republican party and while never having been an aspirant 
to office, has always taken a Cjuiet interest in the affairs of his chosen party. 
\\'hile giving himself primarily to forwarding the interests of himself and 
those nearest to him, he has ever borne in mind his duty to his fellow men 
and has always been counted upon in the front ranks of those desiring the 
best good for the community. Strong and quiet in his relations with his 
fellow men, he has made his presence felt in the community and has gained 
the good will of all those with whom he came in contact. His reputation 
among men for integrity and high character is something for which anv 
man might worthily aspire. Conse(|uently, his influence for good in the gen- 
eral life of the community is most potent and he is well deserving of the high 
esteem in which he is generally held. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 645 

HUGH SNIDER. 

It is with pleasure that the biographer now calls attention to a brief 
sketch of the career of Hugh Snider, one of the oldest citizens of the county, 
who has lived in this locality for so many years that the history of his life 
is interwoven with a histor}' of the C()unt^■, with its progress from early 
pioneer days to the ad\'anced improvements of the present age. Throughout 
his life, Mr. Snider has devoted his energies along agricultural lines, that 
honored vocation of man from the earliest ages and the one in which he is 
the most independent. As a usual thing, men of energy and thrift, of honor- 
able and humane impulses, have l)een patrons of husbandry and the unham- 
l)ered life of the farmer has a tendency to foster and develop that inde- 
pendence of mind and self-reliance which characterize true manhood. 

Hugh Snider, who for a number of years has been living in retirement 
after a strenuous life passed in farming circles, was born on April i6, 1832, 
and on November 28, 1852, was united in marriage with Rebecca Marchant, 
who was born August 27, 1833, in Fayette county. Mr. Snider's place of 
birth was also Fayette countv. To their union was born one child, tlieir 
daughter Clara, who makes her home with her parents and is most capably 
managing the farm and its affairs. This place contains one hundred and 
three acres and is located on the Greenfield pike, just a short distance from 
the city of Washington C. H. The farm, which is known far and wide as 
The Maples, has a num])er of these beautiful trees scattered over its broad 
acres and the commodious eight-room brick house of an early dav is almost 
hidden under these same lovely trees. Mr. and Mrs. Snider enjoy the di.s- 
tinction of being one of the oldest married couples within the Ixnmds of the 
county, having celebrated their golden wedding in 1902. 

Miss Clara, who so abl}' manages the home place and with such unsel- 
fish devotion watches over the declining years of her parents, received her 
education in the schools of the county and early took an intelligent interest 
in the work of the home place, which well fitted her for the duties and re- 
sponsibilities which later years have brought her. The excellent condition 
of the farm todav. all its buildings, etc.. liear witness to her thoroughness 
and more than ordinar}' business ability. While not a member of any 
church, she takes a commendable interest in the progress of the affairs of all 
and is ever ready to lend assistance to any worthy cause. Miss Snider is a 
lady of many charming qualities and in the circles in which she moves she is 
held in high regard because of her high personal character and kindlv dis- 



646 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

position. She has proven herself a devoted daughter to the parents whose 
onlv child she is. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snider ha\e spent so many years of 
their useful li\es here they lono- since v^t.n Lhj honor and esteem of all and 
now that they are quietly spending the eventide of life in the same locality, 
thev have come into perhaps a hner degree of esteem than could be accorded 
those of lesser years of usefulness. 



CLARENCE N. BAER. 



One of the younger business men of Washington C. H. is Clarence X. 
Baer, the manager of the ice company in that city. His father before him 
was a business man and his son has inherited those qualities which gcj to 
make the successful man of affairs. Equipped with a college education and 
trained in business b}' his father, he has demonstrated his ability to handle 
business affairs in an able manner. He is an excellent manager and a man of 
sound judgment, foresight and progressive methods. He has that indomit- 
able energy and unfailing optimism which are capable of winning the trust 
and confidence of his fellow citizens and has ever enjoyed the respect and 
esteem of those who have been associated with him. 

Clarence N. Baer, the son of Louis and Charlotte 1\. ( Naret ) Baer, 
was born in Gallipolis, Ohio. January 22, 1881. Louis Baer was the son of 
A1)ram and Emily (Henking) Baer, natives of .\arau, Switzerland, and 
Heidelberg", Germany, respectively, and was one of four children, the i ithcr 
three being Julius, Emma and Pauline. 

Louis Baer w^as born in Verona, Italy, of (7erman-S^^■iss parentage and 
grew up in canton Aarau, Switzerland, where he received a good education. 
He came to America before the Civil War, being twenty years of age at the 
time, and located at Gallipolis. Ohio. Shortl}- after coming to this country 
the Ci\'il War opened and he enlisted in the Second Regiment of Ohio Heavy 
Artiller\- and served for nearly four \ears with distinction. After the close 
of the war he returned to Gallipolis, Ohio, where he became interested in the 
wholesale grocery business and operated a wdiolesale grocery in that city 
until 1885. Tn that year Louis Baer moved with his family to Washington 
C. H., where he was engaged in tlie same line of business for several ^•ears. 
He then moved to Cincinnati for the purpose of educating his children, at 
the same time disposing of his W^ashington C. H. wholesale interests and re- 
entering at Gallipolis the wholesale lousiness as a silent partner. Afterward 



he moved to Arkansas, where his dealli oceiirred in J.ittle Rock in lyi^, at 
the age of seventy-hve. His widow, Charlotte Iv. Xaret, of Buffalo, West 
\'irginia, whom he had married while living at (iallipolis, Ohio, is still li\ ing 
and is now a resident of Hope, Arkansas. Louis and Charlotte (Xaret) 
Baer married at the ag'es of thirty and twenty and reared a family of hve chil- 
dren : Naret. who died at the age of ten; Carl ]., of Little Rock, Arkansas; 
Marie Louise, of Hope, Arkansas; Clarence X., of \\'ashington C. 11., and 
one who died in infancy. The parents of Airs. Louis l>aer were Edward E. 
and Henrette F>. (Pitrat) Naret, natives of France. 1die Pitrat family 
lived in Lyons, and the Narets w-ere from Paris. Edw^ard E. Xaret met Miss 
Pitrat. after which they were married in V^irginia, living together in (ialli])o- 
lis and Buffalo, West Virginia, where he followed his i^rofession of pliysi- 
cian for over forty years. Doctor Naret and wife were the parents of tour 
children, Charles C, Mrs. Julia N. Beard, Edw-ard, and Charlotte R., the wife 
of Louis Baer. 

Clarence X\ Baer was four years of age when his parents left (iallii)olis 
and located in Washington C. H. He spent his summers in Washington 
C. H., while he lived in Cincinnati with his parents during the wnnter, and in 
the schools of Cincinnati received his education. He graduated from a high 
school of Cincinnati, and later from Cincinnati L^ni\'ersity, after wdiich he 
took a course in a husiness college in that city. After com])leting his studies 
in 1 90 1 he became right of w^ay agent for the American Telephone and Tele- 
graph Companies, and worked with them until his marriage in 1906. .\fter 
spending a year in the South, he returned to W^ashington C. H. with h.is 
young bride and became the manager of the Washington C. H. Ice Company, 
which had been organized in 1890 with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand 
dollars. The present officers of the company are as follows : President, 
Louis Baer; vice-president. Carl J. Baer; secretary and treasurer, Clarence 
N. Baer, who is also acting- as manager of the company. The capacitx' of 
the plant is thirty-five tons of ice per day, which is sufficient to su])ply the 
citv in addition to various towns in the surrounding communit}-. 

Mr. Baer was married vSeptember rr, i9or), to Virginia Tow-nsend, the 
daughter of Frank M. and Ann U. (Turner) Townsend, and to this union 
three children have been born, Townsend, Louis Naret and one who died in 
infancv, the first-born. Mrs. Baer was born in Cleveland. Ohio, her father 
being a native of the same city, wdiile her mother was born in Wheeling. 
West Virginia. Her father died in 1911, at the age of fifty-three years, and 
her mother is still living. Frank M. Townsend had tw o children, Virginia 



648 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and Oscar E. Tlie paternal grandparents of Mrs. Baer were Oscar and 
Elizabeth (IMartin) Townsend, while her maternal grandparents were Ewing 
Turner and Margaret Bartlet Turner. 

Politically, Mr. Baer is identified with the Republican party, but has 
ne\er been actixe in political matters. He and his wi-fe and family are con- 
sistent members of the Preslnterian church. 



ABNER R. SWOPE. 



It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of 
one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of pur- 
pose and determined action. Such a life must abound in both lesson and 
incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are 
still a matter for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is dis- 
tinctively one of the representative agriculturists of Eayettc county, Ohio. 
b'or a number of }'ears he directed his efforts toward the goal of success and 
by patient continuance in well doing succeeded in overc«jming" the obstacles 
with wdiich his pathway was beset and is now living in comfortal)le retire- 
ment at Bloomingburg, enjoying the fruits of the labor of his earlier years. 

A. R. Swope, whose farm is located about two and one-half miles north-' 
east of Bloomingburg, on the Jones road, is a native of Fairfield county, this 
state, born near Amauda on December 21. 1840. He is a son of Thomas and 
Rebecca (Lefever) Swoi)e, whose marriage occurred in 1827. Idiomas was 
born in Huntingtou, Pennsyhania, on the 19th day of February, 1800, being 
the son of David and Mary (Cole) Swope. They were 1)oth natives of 
Huntington county, Pennsylvania, where their marriage took place, and then 
in the year 1802 they, with their respective families, all emigrated to Ohio, 
locating in Fairfield county. This was in the days of the early history of 
the state and was before it was admitted as a state to the Union. 

The immediate subject w^as one of a family of twelve children, several 
of whom have passed into the great beyond. David and Jacob, the oldest 
two, are deceased, then follows Thomas ; the subject is the fourth child in 
order of birth; Samuel, Felix, Margaret (deceased), Mary (Mrs. Sturgeon), 
Rebecca (Mrs. W^ood), deceased, as are also Jane ^ Mrs. Ingman), Eouisa 
(Mrs. .^.shbrook) and Emma (Mrs. Peters). 

Mr. Swope received his early education in the schools of Amanda town- 
ship, l^^airfield county, later attending the schools of Pleasantville (Ohio) 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OTTIO. 649 

for his more advanced studies. He assisted his father with the work about 
the home place, and in this manner early acquired careful training in those 
things which make farming a success. He remained under the paternal roof 
until t went}- four years of age, when he rented a tract of land containing one 
hundred and twenty acres and started out in life on his own responsibilities. 
He farmed that land for three years, li\ing thereon in the meantime, and 
succeeded so well in his business venture that he then felt justified in mak- 
ing a purchase, and bought his first forty acres on which he took up his resi- 
dence. There he remained until 1881, when he purchased the Alexander 
farm near Bloomingburg. This consisted of two hundred and fifty acres and 
at the time he acquired it he became a resident of this county, where he has 
since resided. He retained the Alexander farm but a short time, when he 
disposed of it and purchased the Jones farm, where he lived for the next 
twelve years, when he came within the radius of Bloomingburg and has lived 
here ever since. One hundred and fifty-three acres of his farm are located 
in Paint township and one hundred in Madison. It would be impossible in 
a sketch of this length to tell of the hardships and struggles of Mr. Swope's 
earlier career, but suffice it to say that each obstacle encountered onK- urged 
him on to a more determined effort and in the end he triumphed and is now 
regarded as one of the most successful farmers of this locality. 

On November t, 1866, Mr. Swope was united in marriage with Mary 
C. Murray, daughter of Evan and Margaret (Kiger) Murray, who were 
early pioneers of h'airfield county, this state, coming here from Virginia. 
Mrs. Swope's death occurred on February 28, 191 3. She was a woman of 
many excellent traits of heart and mind who had endeared herself to a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances, not only by the kindly interest she mani- 
fested in those about her, but also through her children by the impress her 
personality and careful training left upon their lives and characters. She 
was an earnest and active mem]:)er of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
she was laid to rest in Bloomingburg cemetery. She was the mother of six 
children. Frank, the eldest, was educated in the schools of Bloomingburg, 
early evinced a talent for business and for some time has been connected 
with the Adams Express Company, with headquarters at Columbus, Ohio. 
He is an earnest and consistent member of the Presbyterian church and his 
fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Freemasonry, the Eastern 
Star, and the Modern Woodmen of America. William, who resides at 
Columbus, married Ada S(|uire and they ha\e one child. Madison. Charles 
is practicing dentistry at Co]uml)us. His earlier education was received at 
P.loomingburg and his special training in his chosen profession in a college 



650 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

at Columbus. He married Dora LJri.^gs, who has liorne him two cliildren, 
Bernice and Charles, jr. OliAe, the )oimL;est of the tamil}'. remain^ in 
the home, while the parents had the misfortune to lose two of the children, 
Clay and Ellen. 

Special honor is due Air. Swope in that he was one of the faithful boys 
in blue who marched to the front in the early sixties, sworn to preserve the 
integrity of the union. He enlisted on May 2, 1864, as a private in the One 
Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Regiment and served under Colonel Jackson 
in the division known as the Army of the Potomac. After the expiration of 
his service, he returned to his home and again took up the interests of life 
where he had laid them down at the nation's cr}' for help. Mr. Swope is a 
faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Bloomingburg and 
does all within his power to further its interests. Politically, he is a mem- 
ber of the Republican party and, while interested in its affairs, has never 
found opportunity to devote much time to active work in same. 

Mr. Swope possesses one of those sturdy characters which measure well 
up to the full standard of manhood, having proven throughout his life his 
faithfulness to any and all trusts imposed in liim. He has ever been inter- 
ested in advancing in every manner ])ossible the social, moral and educational 
life of the community, bearing always in mind his responsibilities as a father 
and desiring for his children the best possible environment. Mr. Swope holds 
an enviable position in the hearts of his many friends and neighbors, sure!} 
a fitting tribute to one who has endeavored to live a correct and useful life 



RALPH ALLEN. 



One of the younger farmers of Fayette count}- who is making a name 
for himself as a successful tiller of the soil is Ralph Allen, of Concord town- 
ship. Starting out as a renter eleven years ago, he now rents his father's 
farm of two hundred and fourteen acres. He has already gained a com- 
fortaI)le position in life, which is proof that it is possible for the average man 
to do likewise. The chief difficulty with most men is the lack of definite 
plans or the lack of energy to carry out their plans after they are once made. 

Ralph Allen, the son of James H. and Ellen ( Rankin) Allen, was 
born May 7, 1881, in Milledgeville. Ohio. His father was born in West 
Lancaster. Ohio, the son of Ethan, a native of Vermont, and a soldier of the 
War of 1812. J. H. Allen and wife were the parents of four children: 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 65 I 

(ilcnu, who n.arried J''.inni;i W'ilsun: Kal])!!, with \\h(ini this narrative deals; 
Mora, siiii^le: Alahel, who niarried Artluir McCoy. 

Ralpli .\llen attended the schools at v )cta, Wabash and Lkickeye in l""ay- 
ette county and receixcd a good common school education. This has been 
supplemented with wide reading since he left the school room, so that he is 
now well informed on all the main (|uestions before the American people 
today. He began farming for himself imniediatel\- after his marriage and 
takes a commendable pride in keeping everything about the farm in gcjod 
repair and has thus gained the reputation of being a careful and conscientious 
farmer. He raises all of the crops usually grown in this section of the state 
and gives a due share of his attention to the breeding of live stock. 

Mr. Allen was married on New Year's day. 1Q03. to Mary Myrtle Staf- 
ford, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Johnson) Stafford. To this union 
has been born one son, Charles H., November 13, ic;o4. Fraternally, Mr. 
Allen is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the en- 
campment as well. He is a genial, affable and pleasant man to meet and is 
well deserving of the high esteem in which he is universally held by his 
friends and acquaintances. 



WILLLAM E. STURGEON. 

One of the prosperous farmers of Perry township, Fayette county, 
Ohio, who has never been seized with the desire to wander from his native 
county is William E. Sturgeon, who has spent his life of more than half a 
century on the farm w here he was born. His whole career has been spent in 
agrictiltural pursuits with the exception of a short time when he was en- 
gaged in business in the county seat and his efforts have been rewarded w ith 
a success commensurate with his ability. His well directed energies in the 
practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests, and 
his sound judgment have brought him a success wdiich speaks well for his 
efforts. At the same time he has borne his share of the burdens of his com- 
munity and has ahvays so conducted himself as to w'in the approbation of his 
fellow citizens. 

Williain E. wSturgeon, the son of William and Mary xAnn (Lease) Stur- 
geon, was born on the farm where he is now living in Perry townshi]) in 
February, 1858. His father was a native of Ross county, and is a son. of 
Robert and Plube fBriggs) Sturgeon, natives of A'irginia. 



652 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

William E. Sturgeon attended the district schools of his home town- 
ship and completed his education at the National Normal University at Leb- 
anon, Ohio. He then began to work for himself by renting land from his 
father, and with the exception of a short time when he was in the imple- 
ment business in Washington C. H., he has remained on the farm where he 
was born. He now has a well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-six 
and one-half acres on the Sturgeon Mill road, about seven miles from Wash- 
ington C. H. Here he raises excellent crops and gives a considerable amount 
of his attention to the breeding and raising of a high class of live stock. 

Mr. Sturgeon was married in 1885 to Minnie J. Grove, the daughter of 
Christian and Nancy A. ( Orr) Grove, and to this union have been born three 
children. Homer F., Maizie B. and George W. Homer F. married Essie 
Elliott and has two daughters, Mary and Catherine ; George W. attended 
school at Delaware, Ohio, and Lebanon Unixersity. after completing the 
course in the common schools of his home township. He is living at home 
with his parents and assists his father on the home farm. 

Mr. Sturgeon is a Republican in politics and takes an intelligent interest 
in all the current issues of the day. but he is not a partisan in any sense of the 
word. He reserves the right to cast his vote for the best men in local elec- 
tions, for those whom he feels will best administer afifairs in a satisfactory 
manner. The only official position which Mr. Sturgeon has ever held is that 
of school board director. He has lived a quiet and unostentatious life, de- 
voting himself primarily to his home duties, and yet taking an interest in 
everything which affects the general welfare of his community. 



HUGH W. BINEGAR. 

One of the best remembered men of a past generation in b^ayette county, 
Ohio, is H. W. Binegar, who spent his whole career of fifty-fi\'e years within 
this count\^ and in the township where he was born. He ])ossessed great 
simplicity, purity and humility of character. He had convictions, yet was 
careful and patient in coming to conclusions, but when he finally made up 
his mind as to the course he wanted to pursue nothing could swerve him from 
what he considered his duty. A busy man, interested in his daily tasks, yet 
he was never too busy or too absorbed in his temporal affairs to give time 
and thought to the service of his church, which, with his home, lay close upon 
his heart. He had the faculty of becoming interested in the daily affairs of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 653 

the people about him and when one met him he felt at once that Air. Binegar 
was genuinely sympathetic. As a citizen he was easily among the foremost. 
Any movement which had for its object the betterment of his home city 
met with his hearty support. He was always courteous and those who 
differed with him admired his fairness and his open-hearted honesty. 

The late H. W. Binegar was born in Perry township October 27, 1858, 
and died on his home farm in the same township April 23, 191 3. He was 
the son of John and Frances (Fishback) Binega?r, natives of Virginia and 
early settlers in this county. John Binegar and wife were the parents of 
seven children, only three of whom are now living, Alargaret, Matilda and 
Nettie. H. W. and three who died in infancy have passed to that better 
world. 

H. W. Binegar received his education in the schools of Xew Martins- 
burg, Perry township, and commenced farming at the age of eighteen. That 
he was remarkably successful is shown by the fact that at the time of his 
death he was the owner of a finely impro\ed farm of three hundred acres 
in Perry township. 

Mr. Binegar was married January 15, 1885. to Sarah E. Black, the 
daughter of Jacob and Christine (Sprinkle) Black. Jacob Black came from 
Kentucky with his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Snyder) Black, when a 
youth and settled in Brown county, this state. Samuel Black was a soldier 
in the War of 1812. serving in a Kentucky regiment. Jacob Black and wife 
were the parents of a family of eleven children, Mrs. Sarah E. Binegar. 
William, Mrs. Hannah Bond, Samuel. Mrs. Mar\^ Van Eman, Walter. 
Jesse, Mrs. Elizabeth Starr, Mrs. Frances Godfredson, Rose and Mrs. Sina 
Erfurth. All of these children are still living except Samuel and Rose. Mr. 
and Mrs. Binegar are the parents of five children, three of whom are living : 
\\^aldo ; Wallace, who married Nina Haines, and has two children, Harlan 
and Wanda, and Velma, who is still attending school. Two children are 
deceased, Omer and one who died in infancy. Waldo married Lois Tod- 
hunter, and had one son, Herman, the mother and child being dead; Velma 
lives with her mother. 

Fraternally. Air. Binegar was a meml:)er of the Knights of Pythias, the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the Patrons of Husbandry. Religiously, 
he, as well as all the members of the family, was a stanch adherent of the 
Methodist Episcoi)al church and actively identified with its various interests. 
Wherever ATr. Binegar went his genialitw kindness and honesty made him 
welcome, and these characteristics won him friends, who were glad to enu- 
merate him among their acquaintances. 



6^4 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

EPHRAIM L. ALLEN. 

The Allen family first came to Fayette county, Ohio, nearly a century 
at^n, and have been identitied with the history of Jasper township during all 
of these years. Ephraim L. Allen has spent the half century of his life within 
the limits of this township and consequently is well known by the residents 
of his township. His life has always been conducted along such lines as to 
merit the high esteem in which he is universally held, and he is conceded b\- 
e\ ery one to be one of the progressiAC and representative citizens of the town- 
shij). 

Ephraim L. Allen, son of Elijah and Mahala (Harper) Allen, was born 
September ii, i860, on the farm where he is now living. His father, who 
was the son of Elijah and Sorilia (Hinkle) Allen, was born in Jefferson 
township, near Lancaster, this county, in 1827. Elijah Allen, Sr., came 
from Pendleton county, Virginia, and was one of the early pioneers of Fay- 
ette county, Ohio. Elijah Allen, Jr., and wife were the parents of twelve 
children, James, Mrs. Adelia Sanderson, Mrs. Selvelia Wilt, Mrs. Christina 
E. Street, Ephraim L., Emma, Ella, William S., Carrie and Maywood P. Of 
these children, Emma and Ella are dead. 

The education of Ephraim L. Allen was received in the Milledgeville 
and Octa schools, finishing at the latter. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-two years of age and then began working out by the month. After 
his marriage he rented land of his father and subsequently purchased sixt}- 
nine acres where he is now living. He has always engaged in general farm- 
ing, dividing his attention betw^een the raising of grains and live stock in such 
a manner as to make his farm yield the best results. He has a good country 
home, excellent barns and outbuildings and everything which the successful 
farmer needs to farm to the best advantage. 

Mr. Allen was married in 1893 to Frances Servis, the daughter of 
Phillip and Martha (Harrison) Servis. Phillip Servis was the son of 
Charles Servis, a native of New Jersey and an early settler in b^ayette county. 
Phillip Servis and wife reared a family of nine children, Phillip, Ollie, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Lambert, Mrs. Martha Watts, James, Phoebe, Mrs. Frances Allen, 
Jacob and Charles. Four of these children are deceased, Philip, Ollie, 
lames and Phoebe. Mr. .\l!en and his wife have a family of seven children, 
five of whom are living, Oscar, Melvin, Grace, lulith and Harr}-. Grace 
married Arthur Himser and has one daughter, Helen Lncile. The second and 
the last children liorn to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, Katie and Charles, are both 
deceased. 



FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 655 

Politically, Mr. Allen is identified with the Republican party and has 
always taken an active part in local politics. He has served as road super- 
visor and school director, filling both positions with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to the citizens of the township. Mr. Allen is a whole-souled 
man, interested in everything which might benefit the general welfare of his 
community, and is a strong supporter of all worthy moral, educational and 
civic enterprises. 



ALMER HEGLER. 



The Hegler family is of Swiss descent, and Aimer Hegler, whose his- 
tory is here presented, is the fifth in direct line from the first member of the 
family to come to this country. The heads of the respective generations are 
as follows: Sebastian, Jacol), Abraham, Milton and Aimer. Sebastian was 
born in Virginia in the earlier part of the eighteenth century. One of his 
sons, Jacob, married Mary Dice, and to this union was born Abraham, the 
grandfather of Aimer, with whom this narrative deals. Abraham Hegler 
was born in Virginia in 1789, and was twice married. 

The first wife of Abraham Hegler was Elizabeth Shobe, and to this 
union three children were l)()rn, Lucinda Stingley, Mrs. Mahala Latta and 
Adonijah. The second marriage of Abraham Hegler was to Dolly Stookey, 
and to this union six children were born, Milton, Cyrus, Allan, Lawson, 
Huldy, EfTa, all deceased. The father of Aimer, the immediate subject of 
this sketch, was the eldest of his family. 

Abraham Hegler moved to Ross county, Ohio, in 1809, and lived there 
the remainder of his life. Milton Hegler, one of the six children born to 
-Vl)raham and Dolly (Stookey) Hegler was born in Ross county, Ohio. 
March 21, 1816, and after his marriage took up his abode in Fayette countv. 
He was a life-long resident of this county and died here in 1887, at the 
advanced age of eighty-one. Milton Hegler was twice married, his first mar- 
riage occurring in about 1850 to Abigail DeWitt, the daughter of Henrv 
and Abigail (Davis) DeWitt. His first wife died February 14. 1858, leav- 
ing her husband with two living sons, Lawson and Aimer, and two who died 
in infancy. Lawson has since died. The second wife of A'lilton Hegler was 
Sarah J. McCoy, the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Harper) McCov, 
this marriage occurring December 24. 1862, and to this second union four 
children were born, Mrs. Dora Shobe, Orris, David S., and Iva B.. the wife 
of Harry T. Baker. Milton Hegler was one of the wealthiest men of his 



656 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

count}- at the time of his death and left an estate of over one thousand acres 
of land in Wayne township. He had extensive business interests outside of 
his land holdings and was a director in the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton 
Railroad Company for many years. 

Aimer Hegler, son of Milton and Abigail (DeVVitt) Hegler, was born 
November 17, 1854, in Wayne township, this county, and has spent his entire 
life within the township where he was born. He was educated in the schools 
of his home township and finished in the graded schools of Washington C. H. 
He has spent all of his life in farming, although he has been engaged in 
various business enterprises along with his agricultural pursuits. For sev- 
eral years he and Elijah Hopkins had a factory at W^ashington C. H., where 
they made the Eclipse hog holder and the Eclipse hog ring, which were en- 
dorsed and widely used by the most substantial stock raisers of the county. 
At the present time Mr. Hegler is largely interested in the manufacture of 
fertilizer, to which he gives a great deal of attention and which has proven 
very remunerative, from which he has just retired, November i, after seven- 
teen years spent in these lines. Eor many years Mr. Elegler was the mana- 
ger of his father's estate of twelve hundred acres and is now farming his 
share of the paternal estate. He has a beautiful country home with at- 
tractive surroundings and is classed among the most substantial men of his 
township and county. 

Mr. Hegler was married September 21, 1887, to Mrs. Laura (McCoy) 
Thompson, the widow of Wesley C. Thompson and a daughter of Allen and 
Malinda ( Kuhl) McCoy. 



FRANK M. ALLEN. 



The success of any man is not the measure of material wealth that he 
may be able through his genius to accumulate, but by the actual good he may 
perform for himself and for others. It has been wisely stated that "he who 
causes two blades of grass to grow where one grew before is a benefactor 
to mankind.'' The man who is loyal to his family, to his community and 
to his country always makes a model citizen. Some men are gifted in one 
way and others in another, but the man who can adapt himself to his environ- 
ments and do well his part in life's conflict, best serves the purpose for which 
he was created. Such a man is Frank M. Allen, supervising editor of the 
historical portion of this volume. Hence the following notice concerning 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 657 

?\lr. Allen, the present connty superintendent of schools in Fayette county, 
wh.ose career as a teacher, a soldier, a county official and most exemplary 
American citizen, will be briefly referred to. 

bVank M. Allen was ])orn June 30, 1846, in Jefferson township. Fayette 
county, Ohio, the son of Armstrong and Jane (McHenry) .Mien, natives of 
Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. Armstrong- Allen was born in Madison 
cuunt}', Ohio, December 25, 1808, and was reared to manhood in his native 
county. His wife, Jane AIcHenry, was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, 
in 1809, the daughter of John McHenr}-, a native of Scotland, who came to 
this country in young manhood and became the .\merican ancestor of this 
McHenry family. John and Mary McHenry were the parents of five chil- 
dren, Elizabeth, Isaac, Green, John and Jane. The last named became the 
wife of Armstrong Allen. Her brothers, Green and John, w^ere soldiers in 
the War of 1812. 

Armstrong and Jane (McHenry) Allen were blessed with children as 
follows: Elizabeth, Rachel, John C, Mary, William, David, Isaac and Frank 
M. John C. Allen, of this family, was captain of Company K, Forty-fourth 
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. In this same 
regiment also loyally served three other sons of Armstrong Allen and wife, 
^•iz : William, Isaac and David, while the youngest child, Frank M. Allen, 
who was too young to enlist at the beginning of the war, managed to enier 
the army in February, 1864, and served as an efficient soldier until his final 
muster out on August 6, 1865, having participated, under (ien. Phil Sheridan, 
in Virginia during the last year of that memorable conflict. Thus it will be 
seen that all of Armstrong Allen's five sons were soldiers from their nati\e 
state — a splendid record of loyalty indeed. The father, Armstrong .Mien, 
died February 19, 1847, when Frank M. was less than one year of age. The 
good mother survived until August 12, 1895. 

Frank M. Allen attended the common schools of Jefferson township, 
then went to the graded schools of Jeffersonville, after which he entered the 
Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he subseciuently graduated. 
He then began teaching in the district schools of Fayette county, continuing 
many years with marked success. He was promoted as an instructor to the 
principalship of the Bloomingburg schools. In 1879 ^"^^ ^'^^s elected principal 
of the high school at Washington C. FI. The last named position he left 
for the purpose of taking the superintendency of the city schools of Muncie, 
Indiana, where he gave universal satisfaction, and resigned to accept a more 
lucrative position as superintendent of the North Den\er schools, in Colorado. 
(42) 



658 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

His latest school teaching was at Jefferson, Ohio, where he taught a few 
years before being elected clerk of Fayette comity. 

Rich with the experience of years in the school rooms of this and other 
states, it is no wonder that he was elected, under the new school law of Ohio, 
in July, 1914, as county superintendent of schools. In this he is proving the 
same methodical, painstaking educator that has characterized him so long as 
an instructor. 

Politically. Air. Allen has long been identified with the Republican party 
and, because of his ability, he has been honored on numerous occasions and 
was elected to the office of county clerk, beginning in 1887 and serving faith- 
fully and well for three terms. He has also served as a member of the 
^^'ashington C. H. school board and as county examiner. For many years 
he was on the county board of equalization, and was appointed by Governor 
Cox as a trustee of the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Xenia, 
which position he still holds. He is also a member of the board of examin- 
ers of the state, being appointed by the supreme court. In this role he 
serves as chairman of the committee on general learning. He has served as 
commander of Hays Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Washington C. 
H. and is much interested in this post. He has served as senior vice-com- 
mander of the state. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, 
having joined this fraternity in 1876, at Bloomingburg, Ohio. He is also 
identified with the Knights of Pythias order at \\'ashington C. H. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as are the members of liis house- 
hold. 

l^nlike the man who has had fortunes showered upon him from his 
-VDUth, what he possesses in wa}' of ])r()sperit}' has come bv the industry and 
toil so well knoAvn to everv citizen of Fayette county. Among his holdings 
may be mentioned his two-hundred-acre farm on Mallow pike, three and a 
half miles to the west of W^ashington C. H. To this he gives personal super- 
vision, and delights in seeing it produce its annual crojis and also in making 
impro\-ements from year to vear as needed. The family home in Washing- 
ton C. H. is situated on East Temple street, where genial hospitality is duly 
appreciated by a legion of friends. 

Of Mr. Allen's domestic life it may be stated that he married Sarah, 
daughter of Harvey and Mary (Brooks) Sanderson, on June 18, 1868. Mrs. 
Allen was born near Milledgeville, Ohio, in Jasper township, this county. 
Her father was born in the same township, a son of Harvev and Ruth (Fig- 
gins ) Sanderson. Harxey Sanderson, Jr.. one of four in Ins parents' famih'. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 659 

was a prosperous fanner in Jefferson township; was a zealous church worker; 
was active in poHtical work and one of the l)est known citizens here in his day 
and generation. 

Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Allen are the parents of three children, Aurelius 
(Rell G.), Claude and Ralph. 

Aurelius Allen, the eldest son, graduated from the high school at Wash- 
ington C. H., after which he entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which 
he graduated in 1896. He has been in active practice at the county seat for 
a number of years. He served as deputy clerk in the Fayette county court; 
was mayor of the city three terms and is now probate judge of Fayette county. 
He is ranking major in the Ohio National Guard. 

Claude, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, graduated from the 
local high school, and entered the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, from 
which she graduated. She is now the wife of Guy B. Saxton and their 
daughter, Jane Saxton, is attending the Ohio Wesleyan College, at Delaware. 
Ohio. 

Halph, the third and youngest of the family of Frank M. Allen and 
wife, b deceased. 



TOHN L. BARNES. 



In the respect that is accorded to men who ha\'e fought their own wa}' 
to success through unfavorable en\ironment we rind an unconscious recog- 
nition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so 
rough a test, but gains new strength through the discipline. John L. Barnes, 
of Fayette county, Ohio, was not favored ])v inherited wealth or the assist- 
ance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and 
wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and made his 
influence felt for good in his community. Additional honor should be ac- 
corded him because he is numbered among those patriotic sons of the North 
who assisted in saving the integrity of the Union in the dark davs of the 
sixties. 

John L. Barnes, the son of David L. and Margaret (Shannon) Barnes, 
wa.'^ born September 14, 1843, ^^ Pickaway county, Ohio. His father was 
l)orn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Quaker extraction, and, when a 
young man, left his native state and settled in Pickaway county, Ohio, near 
Williamsport. He first followed the blacksmith trade and later, after moving 
to Fayette county, in 1857. engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock. 



66o FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Nine children were born to David L. Barnes and wife, John L., George, 
Edward. Joseph, Airs. Catherine Kerney. \A'ilh'am. T Tarry. Mrs. Flora 
Flower and James. 

John L. Barnes attended school in Pickaway county and received most 
of his education in Circleville, the county seat of that county. He was nine- 
teen years of age when his parents moved to Fayette county and here he has 
spent the remainder of his life. He enlisted in 1864 in Company C, One 
Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served 
as second lieutenant, but saw active service for only a short time. He was 
captured by the Confederates at Cynthiana, Kentuck)', but afterwards re- 
leased by the enemy and returned to his company ])efore the close of the 
war. He was mustered out at Camp Denison, Ohio, in the summer of 1863. 
Immediately after the close of the war he returned to P^ayette county and 
after his marriage, in 1857, began farming in Jasper township, where he has 
since resided. He has a fine farm of two hundred acres, which is well im- 
proved and one of the most productive farms in the township. This was 
all covered with woods when he settled here. 

Mr. Barnes was married May 7, 1867, to Sarah L. Ford, the daughtcr 
of E. L. and Martha (Snider) F'ord. E. L. Ford was a native of Cumber- 
land county, Maine, where his birth occurred September 20, 1819. After 
receiving a good common school education he began teaching school at the 
ag'e of fourteen and continued to follow that profession until 1841, when he 
left his native state and removed to Ohio, where he taught school in Hamil- 
ton county until 1843. Fie was married to Martha M. Snider, the daughter 
of Gen. John Snider, of Hamilton county, June 4. 1843, and to this union 
seven children were born, Mrs. Sarah Latham. ATrs. Lucy Aliller. Mrs. Mary 
Tichoir, James, Charles, Frank and William. "^ 

Mr. Barnes and wife are the parents of ten children, Estella, Roscoe. 
Clara. John L., Pearl, F. H., W. F., Grace, Harry and Lillian. Estella is the 
wife of Jerry i\cton and has four children. Arnot, Carl. Harry and Eugene; 
Roscoe married Jessie Jenkins and has one son, Harold; Clara is the wife of 
Allen Ferguson and has one son, John; John L.. the fourth, child of Mr. and 
Mrs. Barnes, is the only one of the family \\-ho is deceased; Pearl is the A\ife 
of Lares Compton Spitler ; F. H. is unmarried; W. F. married May Carr and 
has one son, Howard; Grace is the wife of John Cannon and has two chil- 
dren. Robert and Dorothy ; Harry married Ruby A\>imer ; Lillian, the yc^ung- 
est of tlie familv, is still single. 

Mr. Barnes and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 66l 

church and have always been prominent workers in the church and Sunday 
school. He is a member of Millikan Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and 
is very much interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the old 
soldiers. The fifty years which Mr. Barnes has spent in Fayette county have 
given the people an excellent opportunity to know him in his every-day life, 
and the fact that he is held in universal esteem and respect is indicative of the 
clean and wholesome life he has led. 



WILLIAM A. HOLDREN. 

In contemplating the many estimable qualities of the late William A. 
Holdren, integrity and industry appear as prominent characteristics, an in- 
tegrity that no personal or other consideration could swerve and an industry 
that knew no rest while anything remained undone. When a given task was 
accomplished he would throw off all care, retire to his home and loved ones 
and devote himself to domestic and social enjoyment for which he had the 
keenest zest and relish. His temper was calm and equable and his manners 
those of the gentleman. His devotion to every-day duty was intense, and 
although his life was a busy one yet he never allowed it to interfere with 
his Christian obligations or the faithful performance of his church duties. 
Always calm and straightforward, never demonstrative, his life was a steady 
effort for the worth of Christian doctrine, the purity and grandeur of 
Christian principles and the beauty and elevation of Christian character. He 
commanded the respect of all classes by his exemplary^ life, and his memory 
will long be revered by his many friends and acquaintances. 

William A. Holdren was born in Buckskin township, Ross county, Ohio, 
May 26, 1859, and died at his handsome country home in Wayne township, 
Fayette county, Ohio, January 5, 1905. He was the son of John W. and 
Mary (James) Holdren. His father was a native of Virginia, coming to 
Ross county, Ohio, with his parents when he was only three years of age. 
In that county he grew to manhood, married and reared a family of seven 
children, William A., Mrs. Mattie Harper, R. G., Otto, Lily, Olive and 
Lafayette. Only three of these children are now living, Otto, R. G. and 
Lafayette. 

William A. Holdren was educated at the Pisgah and South Star schools 
in this county. When a young man he worked at the carpenter trade and 
followed that until he married and then he engaged in farming in Ross 



662 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

county, this state. In 1900 he came to Fayette county and purchased his 
farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres in Wayne township. He was 
an excellent farmer, and although a resident of this county but five years, yet 
in that short time he impressed his neighbors as a man of bne ability and a 
man who always stri\'ed to do the right thing. 

Mr, Holdren was married September 18, 1884, to Arizona B. Rogers, 
daughter of William and Malinda (Divens) Rogers. Her father was a 
native of this township, and to him and his wife were born three children, 
Arizona, Mrs. Jennie Culy, and Samuel H., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hold- 
ren were the parents of three children, Lee. Glenn R. and Esta M., Lee being 
deceased. Mr. Holdren was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, while his wife still holds her membership in the Baptist church. He 
was a man of pleasing presence and easily made friends. His upright career 
and wholesome moral influence made him a popular man in the community. 
His influence was always salutary and his example worthy of imitation. 
Such a man is a blessing to any community and it is eminently fitting that 
his career be placed in this biographical history of his county. 



WILLIAM A. SAUM. 



There never was a time in the history of the world when the farmer 
was not the most important factor in the life of the nations. Holding, as he 
does, the life of the people in his hands, he is the very bulwark of every 
nation in the world. With the introduction of labor-saving machinery the 
life of the farmer is fast losing most of those objections which it once had. 
No more is the farmer compelled to rise early in the morning and work late 
at night; the farmer of today can get more work done in one day than his 
grandfather could in a week. A modern reaper can do as much work in one 
day as two men can do in two w'eeks and with infinitely less labor and, at the 
same time, in a much more efficient manner. Farming under modern-day 
conditions is really an enjoyable occupation and it is gratifying to note that 
so man}^ of our best young men are turning to this time-honored occupation 
for a livelihood. Among the progressive farmers of Fayette county who are 
fully abreast of the times is William A. Saum, of Perry township. 

William A. Saum, the son of Solomon and Samantha (Parrett) Saum, 
was born April 22, 1865, in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio. Solo- 
mon Saum was the son of lacob and Elizabeth TAVinegardner) Saum and 



favetttr: co'i-i^^TY. OHIO. 663 

was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1841. Jacob was born in Pennsylvania 
of German descent and was one of the early settlers in Perry county, Ohio. 
Solomon Saum Mas reared to manhood in Perry county and came to Fayette 
county after his marriage in 1865, where he lived until his death. Samantha 
Parrett, the \vife of Solomon Saum, was the daughter and only child of 
Henry and Sarah (Glaze) Parrett, and was born in Fayette county. Three 
children were born to Solomon Saum and wife: William A., Charles C. and 
Elmer H, 

Mr. Saum received all of his education in the district schools of his home 
township and remained at home until his marriage. At the age of thirty-one 
he married and began farming for himself on his present farm of one hun- 
dred and thirty acres in Perry township. He has placed many improvements 
on the farm since he bought it and by a system of scientific crop rotation 
brought the farm to a high state of productivity. He raises excellent crops 
and gives considerable attention to the breeding of a high grade of live 
stock. 

Mr. Saum was married April 23, 1896, to Mary Dowler, the daughter 
of Charles and Josephine (Baxley) Dowler. To this union there has been 
born two children, Ralphord H. and Reva L. Mr. Saum and his wife arc 
stanch members of the Methodist Episcopal church and deeply interested in 
all church and Sunday school work. 

Politically, Mr. Saum is a Democrat, and, while interested in good gov- 
ernment, has never been a candidate for any public ofhce, preferring to 
devote all of his time and energy to his agricultural labors. He gives his 
unreserved support to all worthy measures which are launched in his com- 
munity for the general welfare of his fellow citizens. 



EDWARD POST. 



An enterprising and progressive farmer of Jasper township, Fayette 
county, Ohio, is Edward Post, who is the owner of a fine farm of two hun- 
dred acres on the Ford pike. Reared to the agricultural life, he has devoted 
all his energies to farming and with a success which speaks well for his 
efforts. As a public-spirited citizen and advocate of good government, he 
has been prominently identified with the civic life of his township and is now 
serving his second term as trustee of Jasper township. 

Edward Post, the son of Abraham and Margaret (Harper) Post, was 



664 KAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

born March 13. 187O, on the farm where he is now living. His mother is the 
daughter of Benjamin Harper and wife. 

The education of Mr. Post was received in the district schools of 
Jasper tow'nship and at an early age he began to work for himself. When 
only nineteen years of age he began renting land and, being a very successful 
farmer, w'as soon enabled to purcliase land of his own. He sold his farm 
and now rents the Ford farm of two hundred acres. Being a good manager 
and a man of ceaseless industry and patience, he has added to his original 
land holdings from time to time. The farm he rents Is well improved, well 
equipped with all the latest machinery for successful farming and well stocked 
with high grade animals of various kinds. He has given particular attention 
to the breeding of hogs and in addition to the raising of them is actively 
engaged in buying and selling hogs for the local markets. 

Mr. Post is a member of the Democratic party and has been one of the 
leaders in political affairs in the township for many years. His party nom- 
inated and elected him trustee in 191 1, and so successful was his first term 
that he was renominated and re-elected to the same position, a fact which 
speaks well for his efficiency as a public servant in the administration of the 
many duties which fall to the lot of the township trustee, in which he has 
shown himself adbundantly able to care for in a satisfactory manner, and 
thus has won the high esteem of the citizens of the township, irrespective of 
party affiliations. 



REV. F. M. CLEMANS. 



There is no earthly station higher than the ministry of the Gospel and 
no life more uplifting and grander than that which is devoted to the ameliora- 
tion of the human race. The life of the minister means sacrifice for the 
betterment of the brotherhood of man, yet there are always men who are 
willing to cast aside earthly crowns and laurels of fame in order to follow 
in the footsteps of the lowly Nazarene. It is not possible to measure ade- 
quately the height, depth and breadth of such a life, for its influences con- 
tinue to permeate the lives of others through succeeding generations, so the 
power it has cannot be knowm until the "last great day when the trumpet 
shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible." One of the self- 
sacrificing, ardent, loyal and true spirits who has been a blessing to his race, 
who has left in his wake an influence that ever makes the world brighter and 
better, is the Rev. F. M. Clemans, now living a retired life near New Hoi- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 665 

land, Ohio, on his farm, known as the Guy Hahiie place, after having spent 
nearly a half century in the service of his Master. 

Rev. F. M. Clemans, the son of William T. and Elizabeth (Dalbey) 
Clemans, was born June 28, 1835, in Greene county, Ohio, near Jamestown. 
His father came to Greene county when two years old with his parents, 
Hezekiah and Martha (Stacy) Clemans, locating in that county in 1813. 
Hezekiah Clemans was a soldier of the War of 1812 and served under "Mad 
Anthony" Wayne in his campaign against the Indians in the northern part 
of Ohio. William Clemans, the father of Hezekiah, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War and fought at the battle of Cowpens January 17, 1781. 
William Clemans' father came from the northern part of Ireland and settled 
in Virginia about the middle of the sixteenth century. It is interesting to 
note that Samuel Clemens, familiarly known as "Mark Twain,'' was a 
nephew of William Clemens, the great-grandfather of Rev. F. M. Clemans. 
Practically the whole career of Rev. F. M. Clemans has been spent as 
a student, teacher and minister of the Gospel. His early education was re- 
ceived in the district schools of his home township, after which he entered 
Great Grove Academv. He then taught school for several years, during 
which period he devoted all of his spare time to reading and study. At the 
age of thirty-one years he resigned the superintendency of the Jamestown 
schools to take up the ministry and was ordained as a minister in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, and for nearly half a century ministered to the spirit- 
ual wants of different congregations. While still a young man he spent con- 
siderable time in study, and is the holder of several degrees from reputable 
colleges. He was granted the degree of Master of Arts by Ohio Wesleyan 
I'niversity; the degree of Doctor of Divinity by the Universitv of Chicago, 
and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the East Tennessee Univer- 
sity at Athens, Tennessee. His life has been one of devotion to the 
work of the Master. Thousands have heard his voice and been benefited 
thereby. It is not within the province of men to estimate the good which 
can be accomplished during the life of such a man, and especially when it 
is taken into consideration that he preached for nearly fifty years. He 
retired from active service in his church a few years ago and'is^iow livino- 
a quiet and retired life near New Holland. He and Mrs. Clemans have two 
tarms aggregating three hundred and fifty-six acres in Marion township, 
over which they maintain a careful supervision. 

Rev. F. M. Clemans was married in 1859 to Sarah Chaffin. and to this 
umon four children were born: W. L., of Cedarville. Ohio; Fred M of 



666 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mechaiiicsbiirg ; Lillie A^, deceased, and Nellie G., deceased. Mrs. Sarah 
Clenians died November 5, 1S85, and on July 25, 1888, Mr. Clemans was 
married to Mrs. Clara Chaffin Clarke, a cousin of the first wife. The last 
marriage took place at Delaware, Ohio. Mrs. Clara Clemans has been a 
true helpmate and a great help to her husband. jDoth financially and in his 
ministerial \Aork. She inherited from her parents the home farm, which has 
been in the family for over one hundred years. 

Rev. F. M. Clemans has always taken an intelligent interest in political 
matters, but owing to the nature of his life work, has never been active in 
political affairs. He has always been an independent voter and cast his 
ballot for the men Avho, he felt, were the best alile to conduct the affairs 
of government, irrespective of their political affiliations. Fraternally, he 
has long been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a man 
of modest and unassuming demeanor, a fine t3q:)e of the self-made American, 
a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neighbors, a man who 
always stands ready to unite with them in every good work. He is a man 
who in every respect merits the high esteem in which he has always been 
held and now, in his declining years, he can look back over a life which has 
been well spent in the service of his fellow men and his Master. 

Rev. Clemans was first superintendent of the Dayton and Cincinnati 
District of the Anti-Saloon League and took a prominent part in that or- 
ganization, being all his life a temperance advocate. 

Guyholme, the country residence of Rev. and Mrs. Clemans, is one of 
the oldest homes in Fayette county. The land was purchased by Jonathan 
Shepherd, J\Irs. Clemans' maternal grandfather, of Gen. Duncan McArthur, 
the noted Indian fighter, to whom it had been given by the government for his 
services in the wars. Here Jonathan and Elizabeth Shepherd and little daugh- 
ter Susan (afterward the wife of Smith Chaffin) settled in 181 1, so that the 
farm has been in the possession of the family over one hundred and three 
years. Mrs. Clemans' mother used to tell her how, when a child of four 
years, she came with her father and saw him cut down the first tree e\er 
felled on this tract of land, and how she played around while he cleared one 
acre and built his cabin. She also told how, in 18 12, she saw a body of 
soldiers marching up the White pike on their way from Chillicothe (then 
the capital) to Detroit, where they were afterward in Hull's surrender. She 
visited Indian camps along the stream — Compton creek — which flows past 
the farm, and grew up amid the hardships and privations of pioneer life. 
Jonathan and Flizabeth Shepherd literally hewed the farm out of the wilder- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 66/ 

ness. The tract was noted tor its fine timber and still possesses many beauti- 
ful trees. 

Mrs. Shepherd was a niece of the illustrious John Champe, the intrepid 
young Virginian whom General Washington selected to carry out the hazard- 
ous enterprise of capturing Benedict Arnold, after his traitorous scheming 
for the surrender of West Point. He wished to secure Arnold and save 
from execution Major Andre. Perhaps no event of the Revolution required 
more coolness, courage and good judgment than this attempt of Champe and 
though, at the last moment, Arnold escaped, it required the nerve of a hero 
to get back to the American headquarters, where his admiring chieftain gave 
him an honorable discharge and a bodyguard to take him home in safety. 

Elizabeth Daily Shepherd inherited from her mother, Fanny Champe, 
heroic qualities and sterling virtues, which well fitted her to lead the life of 
a pioneer, and here, amid the primeval forest, she and her husband established 
a Godly home, a center of industry, thrift and all the homely virtues trans- 
planted from old \^irginia soil. Hither, in due time, came an alert and 
promising young man. Smith Chaffin, who wooed and won the daughter of 
the house. He was born October 4, 1809, his mother a beautiful Maryland 
girl, his father a sturdy native of North Carolina, reared in Virginia and. 
after marriage, emigrating to Ohio. Smith Chaffin and wife became large 
landholders in Fayette and Pickaway counties and w^ere known for their 
sterling worth. He w^as a man of inflexible purpose, sound judgment and a 
clear and lofty perception of duty. He had the logical mind of a statesman 
and in debate was a foenian worthy of any man's steel. His clear-cut sen- 
tences contained not a superfluous word and drove the argument home with 
telling effect. The wife was a woman of cultured mind and heart, though 
a product of the old "deestrict skule," graduating from the alphabet into the 
New Testament with never an "ism" or an "ology" in her curriculum. A 
reader of the best literature, she made the Bible a special study and was so 
familiar with it that she needed no concordance. With a superb equipoise, 
she pursued the even tenor of her way, unmoved by the slings and arrows of 
outrageous fortune. With a heart "by hope made strong, by faith made 
high," she sat like Patience on a monument, amid the most trying cir- 
cumstances. 

Mrs. Clemans is the youngest child of this couple and is the last sur- 
viving member of this family. She was graduated in the classical course 
from Xenia College in 1866, and was elected a member of the faculty of that 
institution the week before graduation. She resigned this position to be 



668 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

united in marriage with Maxwell (Caddis Clarke, a son of the Rev. John \\\ 
Clarke, one of the old and best known ministers of the Ohio conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. Clarke was a cousin of the renowned 
linguist and commentator, Dr. Adam Clarke, and, like him, possessed a won- 
derful command of language. This gift descended to the son and likewise 
to the grandson, Guy Max Clarke, a brilliant young graduate of Ohio Wes- 
levan University, who passed away to heaven in his twenty-third year. The 
farm was named "Guyholme" in his honor, and his mother has established 
a ])rofessorship in his alma mater bearing his name. After the death of her 
husband, Mrs. Clarke returned to Xenia College as its preceptress, a place she 
tilled very acceptably. Afterward she taught in the schools of Delaware, 
Ohio, resigning the position to join her fortunes with those of the Rev. F. M. 
Ckmans. Of frail physicjue, she has ever tried to do what she could and 
"lend a hand." 



lOHN R. HUCHISON. 



The life of a farmer is the most enjoyable life a man can lead. In no 
other occupation or profession is a man his master as he is in the farming 
profession. He always has fresh eggs and meat and never wants for any- 
thing good to eat. With the introduction of labor-saving machinery the life 
of the farmer has lost practically all of the drudgery which formerly handi- 
capped it. One of the prosperous farmers of Fayette county who started at 
the foot of the ladder and climbed to a position where he commands the 
respect of his neighbors is John R. Huchison, of Wayne township. Starting 
in life on his own responsibility at the early age of seventeen years, he has 
been a hard and conscientious worker all his life and well merits the success 
\\ hich has attended his carefully planned career. 

John R. Huchison, the son of Richard and Zipporah ( Hanna) Huchi- 
son, was born August 7, 1861, in Union township, this county. His father 
was a native of Virginia and came here when a lad as an orphan. He came 
alone and first located in Ross county, this state, where he found work with a 
kind-hearted farmer. He grew to manhood in that county, married and in 
1856 located in Fayette county, where he began on a rented farm. He en- 
listed at the opening of the Civil War in the One Hundred and Seventeenth 
Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was killed in the siege of Vicks- 
burg. May 22, 1863, and is buried on the battlefield, and the beautiful monu- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 669 

ment dedicated to this regiment by the state of Ohio now adorns the battle- 
field. 

John k. Hiichison was less than a year old when his father went to the 
front and was less than two years old when he died. Consequently he has 
nev^er known a father's care. Five children were l^orn to Richard Huchison 
and wife, William, James M., Mary, Eliza and John R. The two daughters 
are deceased, while the three sons are still living. 

John R. Huchison was reared by his good mother, who kept her little 
flock together and gave all of them a good, common school education. John 
R. attended the Brock school in his home neighborhood and later completed 
his education in the Chaffin school. When he reached the age of seventeen 
he began to rent part of the home farm from his mother, and after his mar- 
riage came to his present farin of one hundred and thirty acres six miles 
from Washington C. H. He has improved this farm in many ways by the 
erection of new buildings, fencing, drainage and the planting of all kinds 
of fruit trees. 

Mr. Huchison was married February 4, 1886, to Delia Davis, who was 
born November 26, 1866, in this township. Mrs. Huchison is the daughter 
of Nelson and Maranda (Anderson) Davis, natives of Fayette county, Ohio. 
Mrs. Huchison was born in Wayne township and raised in Union township 
by Robert Hanse and wife. Nelson Davis and his wnfe both died when Mrs. 
Huchison was only three years of age. Nelson Davis, who was the son of 
Benjainin R. and Jane (Compton) Davis, had a large family of children, 
only two of whom are now living, Martha and Delia, the wife of Mr. Huchi- 
son. Martha has been twice married, her first husband being Isaac Lorrimer, 
and to this union two children were born, Hazel, and Isaac W., deceased. 
After the death of her first husband, Martha Davis was married to Benjamin 
F. Johnson, and to her second union two sons were born, Henry and Ben- 
jamin F. Mr. and Mrs. Huchison are the parents of three children: Harrv 
L., who married Orpha Dennis, and has two children, Pauline E. and Del- 
bert; Elmer T. and Mabel G.. both of whom are unmarried and still living at 
home with their parents. 

Mr. Huchison and his wife are consistent members of tlie Alethodist 
Episcopal church, while, fraternally, Mr. Huchison is a member of the Sons 
of Veterans, an organization which includes the sons of those who fought in 
the Civil War. Politically, he is a Democrat, luit has never been inclined to 
take an active part in political matters. Mr. Huchison is a man who has 
lived a clean life and has always so conducted himself as to merit the hearty 
approbation of those with whom he has been associated. 



670 FAYETTE COUNTY,, OHIO. 

JOHN H. ROOK. 

A veteran of the Civil War and a resident of Fayette county, Ohio, 
for more than thirty years, John H. Rook has been an important factor in the 
hfe of his community for that length of time. He enlisted in the Civil War 
at the beginning of that struggle and acquitted himself with honor. The old 
soldiers are fast answering the last roll call and it seems that they should be 
accorded all honor possible while they are still living. This volume contains 
the biographies of many of the veterans of Fayette county. These men who 
volunteered their lives for the sake of their country are especially deserving 
of mention in the history of their county. 

John H. Rook, the son of Gibson and Hannah (Hill) Rook, was born 
November 16. 1835, ^^^ Jackson county, Ohio. His father, the son of John 
Rook, was born and reared in Jackson county and was also in the Civil War. 
John Rook, Sr.. had three children, Nancy, Betsy, and Gibson, the father of 
John H. Rook. Gibson Rook and wife were the parents of six children, 
John H., William, Elliott, Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, Icebenda and Gibson. Of 
these children only one, John H.. is still living. 

John H. Rook was educated in the common schools of Jackson county, 
Ohio. His education was necessarilv limited because of the meager facilities 
offered by the schools of his day. He continued working with his father on 
the home farm until the opening of the Civil War, when he enlisted in 1861 
in Company K, Ninety-first Regiment Ohio N^olunteer Infantrv. He served 
under Col. John Turley, his regiment being a part of the Eighth Army Corps 
and attached to the Ami} of the Cumberland. During his services of three 
years he participated in many of the bloodiest battles of the war and was 
never wounded or captured, ahhough he had many narrow escapes. He was 
finally discharged from the service at Cumberland, Alissouri. and mustered 
out at Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Immediately after the close of the war, Mr. Rook returned to Ohio and 
located on his farm in Ross cr)unt}-, where he lived for eighteen years. He 
then l)r()ught his family to P'a\ette county. Ohio, and bought a farm of fifty- 
four acres fi\e miles from Washington C. H. On this farm he has lived for 
the ])ast thirty \ears, (knoting his time to general farming and stock raising. 

Mr. Rock was married in r862 to Polly Case and to this union eight 
children ha\ e l)een born, William C., Charles, Samuel, Pearl, Jake, Grant 
(died in infancy), Flizal)eth and Malinda. The mother died in 1890 and the 
subject married in T8q8 ]^'Iarv -Mlprec, to whom no children have been born. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 67 1 

Mr. Rook and his family have been consistent members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. Mr. Rook's fraternal connections have been with 
Harry Rodgers Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Rook is one of the 
most highly respected men of his community, although he is now approaching 
his seventy-ninth birthday, yet he is enjoying good health and takes an active 
interest in the life of his community. 



DAVID C. McCUNE. 



The manager of the largest farm in Eayette county is David C. McCune, 
who has for the past twenty-seven years been the superintendent of the 
Humphries Jones estate of eighteen hundred acres in Wayne township. 
The supervision of such an extensive tract of land requires ability of an ex- 
ceptional kind and that Mr. McCune has been on the estate for more than a 
quarter of a century indicates that his work has been very satisfactory. 

D. C. McCune, the son of Wallace and Amanda (Hill) McCune, was 
born October 30, 1862, in Jackson county, Ohio. His father was born in 
the same county and died of the typhoid fever while serving his country in 
the Civil W'ar. His mother then married James Irwin. Wallace McCune 
and his wife were the parents of three children: An infant, Ferendas. and 
D. C. To James Irwin and wnfe were born eight children, Alice, Rebecca, 
William L., Charles, Bertha, Anna, James and Ethel. 

The father of D. C. McCune died when he was a babe in arms and con- 
sequently he knows very little of the history of his father's family. He went 
to the district schools in Jackson county and remained at home until he was 
twenty years of age. He then came to Fayette county and began to work out 
bv the month on farms in that county. He married at the age of twenty- 
one and at once went to the Selsor farm, where he lived one year. Such was 
his success as a farmer on this place that he was offered the management of 
the Jones estate and moved on to it in 1887. He has twelve men under his 
control the year around and raises more grain and stock than any farmer in 
the county. He has every modern convenience for advanced farming and 
handles evervthing on a large scale. For instance, he sells his live stock by 
the car load and thus is able to command the highest market price at all 
times. 

Mr. McCune was married on Christmas eve, 1884, to Josie Yerian, the 
daughter of Allen and Marv (Reed) Yerian, natives of Jackson county. To 



672 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

this union there have been born ten children, Homer, Charles, William C, 
Elmer, Elva, Ollie, Herman, Leland M. and two who died in infancy. Homer 
married Myrtle Cramblet and has two children, Helen and Wayne. Charles 
married Ollie Kier and has tour children, Stanley, Thelma, Russell and 
Nellie. William C. married Jane Price and has two children, Forrest and 
Annie Lee. Elmer married Stella Hook. Elva is the wife of Herschel 
Fletcher, and has one daughter, Josie Belle. 

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and liberal 
contributors to its various needs. Politically, Mr. McCune is independent 
and his extensive agricultural interests have demanded all of his time and 
energy. He is a man who is interested in everything which pertains to the 
general welfare of his community and can always be depended upon to give 
his hearty support to all such movements. Personally, he is a genial and 
whole-souled man, who has a word of cheer for ever}'one and a man who is 
well liked bv all who know him. 



GEORGE P.. PARRETT. 



Ninety years ago there was born in this county a lad who \\as destined 
to become one of the most prominent citizens of Fayette county. Although 
he has now passed to his reward, yet the sincere and fruitful life he led 
was such that his influence is still felt in the community where he spent so 
many years of his active life. He was a man of great force of character 
and always stood on the right side of all moral cjuestions. He was an 
ardent Prohibitionist and was a strong foe of the licjuor traffic all his life. 
Successful in business, he never lost sight of his obligations to those around 
him and was in the forefront of every movement which was launched for 
the betterment of his commtmity. Such men give character to a locality 
and of such strength was Mr. Parrett that he was a leader in all uplifting 
movements. He will always be remembered as a man who stood for better 
and higher things and therefore left a name which will always be cherished 
by his children and honored by those who were so fortunate as to know him. 

The late George B. Parrett was born January 19, 1834, in Fayette county 
and died in Madison township, July 4, 1913. He was the son of Joseph J. 
and Rebecca (Fansher) Parrett, both of \vhom were natives of Coke county, 
Tennessee, and the youngest of a family of eight sons and one daughter. 
Joseph J. Parrett served in the War of 1812 and, among other privations. 




GEORGE B. PARRETT 



FA V ETT E CO L' X T V , OHIO. 673 

subsisted at one time for three days on a half pint of meal. Rebecca Fansher 
was the daughter of Isaac Fansher, a soldier of the Revolutionary Wan 
Joseph J. Parrett and wife reared a family of nine children, Isaac, Benjamin, 
Frederick, David, Pleasant, Russell, Jackson, Mrs. Minerva Allen, and 
George B., wath whom this narrative deals. 

George B. Parrett was married August 21, 1856. to Amelia A. Bush. 
She was the daughter of Daniel and Mary E. (Webster) Bush, of Fayette 
county, and was born September 10, 1835. The Bush family came to this 
county from South Carolina. Brice Webster, the grandfather of Mrs. Par- 
rett, was an early merchant and physician of Washington C. H. Mr. and 
Mrs. Parrett were the parents of a family of twelve children : Euphemie 
Estaline, born in 1857; Edward Ankney, born in 1858; Ella Gazelle, born in 
i860; Florence Jane, born in 1861 ; Ada Verrell, born in 1863; Warren Web- 
ster, born in 1864; Erie Harlan, born in 1866; Alice Gertrude, born in 1868; 
Noyes Marvin, born in 1871 ; Dio Ladell, born in 1873; George Clyde, born 
in 1877; Anna Blanche, born in 1881. 

Euphemie E. Parrett became the wife of Flarry Crow and had three 
children : Georgia, who married Elza Steward and has two children, Vergil 
and Paul; Willie, who married Frank Steward and has three children, Selma, 
Pauline and Grace; and Grace. Edward A. Parrett married Francis Taylor 
and has five children : Earl, who married Amelia Michael, and has two chil- 
dren, Helen and one other; Harvey; Inez,, who married Charles England and 
has three children, Ellen, Edward and Parrett; Scott, who married Euda 
Beal ; and Edw'ard. Ella G. Parrett married Dr. Jasper N. Clark and has 
nine children: Mabel (the widow of Dr. Shaw% deceased), Lewis, Lydia, 
Pauline (the wife of Hubert Nichols and the mother of two children, Hubert 
and Dorothy), Zelma (the wnfe of Earl Beckwith and the mother of an 
infant child), Ralph, Winifred (the wife of Charles Lewis). Lucy and Jasper. 
Florence J. Parrett married J. B. Harrison and has five children: George; 
Pleasant, who married Flora Dennis and has one daughter, Dorothy; Cath- 
erine, who married Lugen Bell ; and two single, Blanche and Olive. Ada V. 
Parrett married Everett Harrison (deceased) and has eleven children: 
Homer (deceased). Ray, Howard (who is married and has four children), 
Scott, Grover, Edward, Bateal, Grant, Mary. Clay and Florence. Warren 
W. Parrett married Ida Noble and has four children: Charles (deceased), 
Ross (married and has two children, Juanita and Charles), Floyd and Paul. 
Erie Harlan Parrett married Minnie Puckett and has seven children : Marion 
(married Edna Graham and has one son. Harlan), Marie (married WiUiam 
(43) 



674 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Dick and has one son, Harold), Pearl (married Ray Downs and has one 
child, Minnie Marie), WiUiam, Glenn, Willard and Robert. Alice Gertrude 
Parrett is deceased. Noyes M. Parrett married Ellen Terry and has three 
children, Olive, Cla} and Margaret. Dio Ladell Parrett married Belle Coe 
and has one son, George, deceased. George Clyde Parrett married Alda 
Long and has two children, Cleo and Eugene. Anna Blanche Parrett mar- 
ried Benton Cross and has one son, George Benton. 

Mr. Parrett was a life-long member of the Methodist church and was 
always interested in the welfare of the church. He was a stanch advocate 
of temperance and was a loyal supporter of the Prohibition party. He was 
one of the most successful farmers of Madison township and left a well- 
improved farm of two hundred acres. He was a man of kindly impulses 
and was always ready to assist those less fortunate than himself, with the 
result that he was one of the best loved men in the county. He was a man 
of domestic tastes and was never happier than when seated by his own fire- 
side surrounded by his loved ones. He left a name which was free from all 
censure and a reputation w^hich places him among the representative men 
of his county. 



CAPT. THOMAS F. PARRETT. 

The Parrett family was one of the first to settle in Fayette county after 
its organization in 18 10 and have been prominently connected with the vari- 
ous phases of its history for more than a century. A large number of the 
family served in the Civil War and made gallant records for themselves. 
One of the leaders of the family in this county for nearly seventy-five years 
is Captain Thomas F. Parrett, a distinguished veteran of the Civil War and 
one of the most successful farmers of Fayette county. 

Thomas F. Parrett, the son of George and Anna (Fletcher) Parrett, 
was born April 19, 1840, in Jefferson township, in this county. His father, 
the son of John and Catherine (Wendell) Parrett, was born in the same 
township in 18 13, being one of the first white children born in the county. 
John Parrett was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and was married 
in that state before coming to Ohio. To John Parrett and wife were born 
ten children, Mrs. Sarah Griffith, Eli, George, A. F., Mrs. Leah Allen. Mrs. 
Bessie Kirk, Allan T., Mrs. Balinda Brown and two who died in infancy. 
The first two children were born in Virginia before the family located in 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 675 

i'ayette county, while the rest of them were born in Jefferson township in 
this county. 

The log school houses were all that the county had during the school 
days of Mr. Parrett and in them he learned the three R's, "readin', 'ritin' 
and "rithmetic." He worked on the home farm after leaving school and at 
the age of twenty-two enlisted in the Civil War. He served about a year as 
a member of Company H, Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, en- 
listing in 1862. Upon the organization of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth 
Regiment of Volunteer Infantry he was elected captain of Company D. This 
regiment was mustered into the service May 2, 1864, and continued in the 
field until the close of the war. Captain Parrett made a splendid record as a 
soldier and has always been very much interested in everything pertaining to 
the welfare of the old soldiers. He is a loyal member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, belonging to Hays Post at Washington C. H. 

At the close of the war Mr. Parrett returned to peaceful pursuits, buy- 
ing a small farm of thirty-three acres near Parrett's Station. In the fifty 
years which have elapsed since the war closed he has accumulated a fine farm 
of six hundred acres about six miles from the county seat in Wayne town- 
ship. He has been an extensive stock raiser and ships several car loads of 
stock to the markets every year. 

Mr. Parrett was married first to Mary M. Greenlee and to this union 
were born three children, Frank L., Fantie B., and Carey G., who married 
Cora Hays and has two children, Thomas and Mildred. The second mar- 
riage was to Mary B. Coffman, the daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Edwards) 
Cofifman. Nathan Cofifman was born in Wayne township, this county, and 
was a prominent farmer and influential citizen. Eight children were born to 
Mr. Cofjfman and his wife. William, Lois, Mrs. Charlotte Priddy, Benjamin 
F.. John M., Mary B., Esther and Mrs. Jeanette CofTman. To the second 
marriage of Mr. Parrett has been born three children, Harry C, T. F.. Jr. 
(deceased), and Louis C. Harr\^ C. married Madge Anderson and has two 
children, Dorothy M. and Robert C. Louis C. married Mary Hazel Sollars 
and has two children, Walter L. and Mary B. 

Mr. Parrett has always given his support to the Republican party and 
has voted for every President from Lincoln to Taft. He was formerly very 
active in local politics and served several years ago as county commissioner. 
The career of Air. Parrett has been commendable in every respect and such 
has been his life that he has earned the high regard and esteem of every one 
who knows him. 



676 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

WILLIAM FRAYN. 

A man who has been actively identified with the progress and growth of 
his township and county is WilHam Frayn, the present trustee of Jasper 
township and a man who has been identified W'ith the business Hfe of the 
township for many years. He had previously served on the school board of 
this township for eight years, has been the proprietor and general manager 
of a grain elevator and ticket agent at Glendon for the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railway Company, and a farmer. In these various positions he has ac- 
quitted himself with credit and is justly deserving of being classed among the 
representative men of his township and county. He is a man of excellent 
business ability and by honest methods and scrupulous attention to details he 
has won the respect of his fellow citizens to a marked degree. 

William Frayn, the son of Thomas and Catherine (Borden) Frayn, was 
born March 7, 1857, in Ross county, Ohio, near Slate Mills. His father was 
a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred near Dublin, and he lived in 
his native land until he w^as tw^enty-six years of age. He then came to this 
country alone and located at once in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he subsequently 
married. Later the parents of Thomas Frayn, William and Catherine (Ala- 
honey) Frayn, came to America and both of them died in Chillicothe, Ohio. 
Thomas Frayn and wife reared a family of four children, Mrs. Mary Sheri- 
dan, William, Thomas and Catherine. All of these children are still living 
with the exception of Mary. 

William Frayn attended school in Fayette and Clinton counties, Ohio, 
finishing at Shiloh in the latter county. He then began farming and team- 
ing and for a few years worked in Cleveland, Ohio, after which he located 
in Clinton county, where he followed agricultural pursuits for a short time. 
He came to Fayette county more than thirty years ago and located in Jasper 
township, where he has since resided. He is the owner of an excellent farm 
of sixty acres on the Ford pike, about six miles from the county seat. Since 
coming to this county he has been very actively engaged in the various phases 
of the township development. As a merchant he operated a general store at 
Glendon for some years, managing the elevator at the same place during that 
time. He was also the freight and ticket agent for the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railway Company for four years. He has shown marked ability as an 
official and has served as postmaster at Glendon, Ohio, formerly known as 
Rattle Snake.. ; In local affairs he has been a member of the school board of 
Jasper towmship, filling this office for eight years to the entire satisfaction 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 6/7 

of all concerned. At the present time he is serving the citizens of his town- 
ship as trustee and giving the office his careful and conscientious attention. 
Mr. Frayn was married in 1893 ^o Mary Ann McDonald, the daughter 
of John and Bridget (Templeton) McDonald, and to this union have been 
born four children. William, Anna Alice, Marie D. and Mary. W^illiam is 
a graduate of the Washington C. H. high school and Anna and Marie are 
still in attendance at the high school; Mary, the oldest daughter, is deceased. 
The family are devout members of the Catholic church, in whose welfare 
they are deeply interested and to whose supi)ort tliey are generous con- 
tributors at all times. Mr. Frayn is a member of the Catholic Order of For- 
esters. He is a man of genial and jovial disposition and is one of the best 
known men in the township and county. He is ever ready to assist those in 
distress and is known as a man of kindly impulses, deeplv interested in 
everything which pertains to the welfare of his communit\-. 



JESSE DEWITT. 



One of the highly respected and honored citizens of the past generation 
in Fayette county, who has passed to his reward, was Jesse DeWitt, a native of 
this county and a lifelong resident. He was successful in his life work and 
at the same time left the impress of his strong personality upon the com- 
munity where he lived and worked. He is now sleeping the sleep of the just, 
yet his influence still pervades the lives of those wiio were so fortunate as to 
enjoy his acquaintance and his name is deeply engraved on the pages of 
Fayette county's history. While his life was a busy one. he never allowed 
anything to interfere with his Christian obligations or the faithful perform- 
ance of his everyday duties. Efficiently able to cope with every adversity 
which thwarted his ])athway through life, he left a comfortable competence 
for his family and a name which is cherished by his family and honored by 
his friends. 

The late Jesse DeWitt was born in Fayette countv. on March 4. 1829. 
and died April 14. 1907. His father. John DeWitt. was born on the same 
farm and in the same house. John DeWitt served his countrv in the War 
of ]8i2 and was a highly respected and influential citizen of this county for 
many years. Jesse DeWitt was one of twelve children. John. William, James 
S., Wesley N., Anderson, Darlington, Decatur. Greenup, Candace. Jesse M.. 
and two who died in infancy. 



678 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Jesse DeWitt was reared under pioneer conditions and received ()nl)' a 
very limited education. As a youth he had to clear the land and prepare it 
for cultivation and early in life decided 1<» devote his career to agricultural 
pursuits. He remained at home until his marriage and then began farming 
for himself in Wayne township, where he lived until his death. 

Mr. DeWitt was married in 1862 to Mary J. Taylor, the daughter of 
Elisha and Rebecca (Faust) Taylor, and to this union a large family of chil- 
dren were born. Charles, Minnie, Carrie, Dale, Lottie. Adah, Florence, Will- 
ard and Albert. Charles married Minnie Kimlile, who is now deceased ; 
Carrie is the wife of John Post; Dale married Ollie barman and has five 
children, Pauline, Ruth, Harry, Mary and Walter; Lottie, deceased, was the 
wife of Charles Drooley, also deceased; Adah is the wife of Harry Burnett 
and has one daughter, Helen; Florence is living with her ])rothers on the old 
home farm; Willard and Albert are now managing the home farm of one 
hundred and fort}--two acres. Willard is a member of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. 

In politics. Jesse DeWitt was a stanch Democrat and, while he always 
was interested in political matters, yet he never aspired to public office, pre- 
ferring rather to devote all of his attention to his farming interests. Me 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. While Mr. DeWitt was 
always a busy man, yet he found time and opportunity to take an interest in 
matters pertaining to the progress and growth of his community. He was 
devoted to his familv and was held in high esteem l\v everyone who knew him. 



MILTON S. ELLIOTT. 



Many of the veterans of the Civil War are still living in Fayette county. 
Ohio, and practically all are now^ passed the allotted age of three score and 
ten. One of these gallant old soldiers is Milton S. Elliott, the owner of three 
hundred acres of valuable land in Wayne township and the present trustee 
of his township. He is a self-made man, having started in life with nothing 
and has accumulated a comfortable estate by the exercise of good manage- 
ment and close application to his business interests. 

Milton S. Elliott, the .son of William W. and Sarah \V. ( King) Elliott, 
was born January 7, 1844, near Newark. Ohio. His father was bom in 
Baltimore, Marvland, and was reared to manhood in that citv. He learned 



.\^■K•r'^l■■. corx'i ■^■, oi i lo. 



679 



the carpenter trade and after his niarria,i;e went t(^ Licking county, Ohio, 
where he followed his trade, later locating in Allen county, Indiana, and 
settling in Fayette county, ( )hio, in US56. Xine children were born to Will- 
iam W. Elliott and wife. Milton S., John. W. T., (ieorge J.. James \V., 
Joseph H., Hugh S.. Marion F. and Edgar (deceased). 

llie education of Milton S. Elliott w^as received in the schools of Lick- 
ing county, Ohio. Allen county. Indiana, and completed in Fayette county, 
Ohio. He was about twelve years of age when his father permanenth- lo- 
cated in Fayette county and his subsecjuent career has been spent in this 
county. At the age of nineteen he enlisted in Battery A, Ohio Heavy Artil- 
lery, at Bloomingburg, and served for a total of twenty-six months before 
being mustered out of the service. He was in the Army of the Cumberland 
and saw hard fighting in the states of Tennessee. Kentucky and Georgia. 

Immediately after the close of the war he returned to Fayette county 
and began working out by the month, saving his monev in order to buv a 
farm of his own. After his marriage, in 1870, he bought his first farm of 
thirty-three acres and to this he has gradually added until he now owns three 
hundred acres of fine land in Wayne township. He has engaged in general 
farming, dividing his attention between the raising of crops and the breeding 
of live stock. He has kept his farm in a high state of productivity by scien- 
tific crop rotation and has thus secured the maximum results from his efforts. 

Mr. Elliott was married September 6, 1870, to Ursula Grubb. the 
daughter of Jacob and Susan (W^entworth) Grubb. To this union there 
have been born five children. Hugh E., Jacob W., Nettie E., Robert W. and 
Leigh B. Hugh E. married Mary Moore and has two children, Le\erne 
and Levem. Jacob W. married Helen Paul. Nettie E. is the wife of Frank 
Carr and has one son, Delbert. Robert W. married Desse Mays and has one 
son, Paul. Leigh B. married Grace McVicker and has one daughter. Vir- 
ginia Leigh. 

Politically, Mr. Elliott is a Republican and has always been active in 
local political matters. His worth as a citizen is shown bv the fact that his 
party nominated him for the office of township trustee and subsequently 
elected him to this responsible position. He is filling this office to the entire 
satisfaction of the citizens of the township irrespective of their political affil- 
iations. Fraternally. Mr. Elliott is" a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church for the past thirty-six years and has al- 
ways been a liberal supporter of his favorite denomination. 



68o FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

CYRUS PATTERSON WEST. 

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an 
intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. Cyrus 
P. West, one of the largest land owners of the county and one of the best 
known and highly esteemed men of this section, has resided here many years 
and the genuine liking and universal respect accorded him by all speak vol- 
umes for the exemplary life he has led. Mr. West takes a justifiable pride 
in the fact that he can trace his family directly back into the early seventeenth 
century and that in their various days and environments his ancestors have 
all been good men and true, each seeking to benefit his generation to the best 
of his ability. Mr. West has won special renown throughout this section by 
reason of the excellent strain of Shorthorn cattle which he has produced. 

Cyrus Patterson West is a native of the old Buckeye state, born in 
Highland county on November 9, 1845, the family residence at that time 
being near Tlillsboro. He is a son of Allen and Isabelle (Patterson) West, 
Allen having been born and reared on the same farm where the subject first 
saw the light of day. Allen West received his education in the schools of 
the county and followed in his father's footsteps as a farmer and raiser of 
stock, being highly successful in his business ventures. He was a devout 
member of the Christian church and was one of the most active and in- 
fluential Grangers in these parts. He was a broad-minded and svmpathetic 
man, whose kindly disposition won him many friends and whose helping 
hand was extended to all in need. Both he and his good wife lie buried in 
the old cemetery at Hillsboro. Allen West was a son of John and Barbara 
( Platter) West, and John Avas a son of Joseph and Judith ( Ballinger) West. 
Joseph, the great-grandfather of the immediate subject, was a soldier during 
the early struggle of the colonies for independence, and from 1777 until 1782 
was under Col. William Grayson, enlisting from A^irginia. He received his 
discharge from Gen. (ieorge Washington, all of Avhich is dulv certified to 
by Levend Powell, late lieutenant-colonel of the regiment in question. 
(National Serial No. 73,746). The father of this Joseph West was also 
named Joseph, his mother being Jane Owens, who came from Delaware. 
This Joseph West was a son of John and Sarah ( Pearson) West, natives of 
England. John was born in that country in 1684. came to America in his 
earlier life, and later returned to his native land, where he died in 1764 at a 
rii)e old age. This is as far liack as the present members of the family can 
trace their lineage and is a record most highlv prized. 




CYRUS P. WEST 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



H.Vh^^T 1 '''"'""^ *"' '"■'■'' '''"'^""°" ''^ *■= Beechwood school in 

H.ghland county, later attending tlte Itigher grades at Lebanon, this state 
■rom he tn™ he was a small boy he assisted the father in the work about the 
larm, showing a special aptitude in the care of stock. After his school days 
were over, he remained with the father on the homestead until twenty-three 

dred' °' '«:': 7'^^" '"■ ^'^««' °'" "' '"■« fo^ himself bv purchasing six hun- 
dred and eighty acres of land in this county. He has succeeded well in his 

anous undertakmgs and now owns one thousand acres of excellent land 
ocated ,n Mad.son and Marion townships. Mr. West devotes conrderaTle 

me and acreage to the raising of grain, but this is principally for ht ol 
feedmg. He ,s known tar and wide as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and has 
produced many extremely fine animals. 

On December 25, 1877. Mr. West ^^as united in tnarriage with Lida 
(W I'e oTfh " °' ""'r'"^ "'" '^^^" *^'"'"^) Sn„.h, of Mad,s county 

paints f To .r"" ' ',"""• "° "'^"""^"'P ''"''''' ^^'-«" '^'-- West's 

parent .) To the.r reunion have been born five cltildren: Imogene, the oldest 

Swo Wefl '^^^^■■^^.'"^'^ °* Bloomingburg high school and attended e 

Allen P. chose Mary Hewitt as h,s ^^,fe and to them have been bora three 
hildren, Cyrus H.. Robert A. and Dorothy; Sallie, the vounoest of he 

to as among the lea.lmg ones ot this section and because of some special ad 
vantages have each contributed their share to the general dev lopm™ of" 
the community. Mr. West is an earnest member of the ChrisZ, church 
and gladly .ives to the best of his ability to forward the work fth teal 

XTn much" I'l !o' "': ''''''-' ''"' '"^ ^^P""-" P-^' b- '■^ neve 
slmost ef^^ t "' '™""" ^°^''"' ^' """^ served Madison town- 
hip most efficiently as trustee. He is one of the leading Grangers in this 

ction and has done much to forward the interests of that ofglni "tL^ 
Air. West has throughout his lifetime shown himself worthv of the hVh 
esteem m which he is held. His life has been filled with activ t^ and t seful 
ness, while his untiring energy and ability have secured for him col uous" 
and honorable place among the citizens of the communit,-. His rict'n 
egnty and unpretending bearing have elevated him in theconfiden o Ws' 

llou citizens, and his influence has always been exerted in the in re!t o 

cha^....;niinem,yen^tle^r:^^^^ 



682 FAYKTTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

JOHN E. FREE. 

Among the men of sterling worth and strength of character who have 
made an impress upon the Hfe of the locality in which they live, no one has 
achieved a larger meed of popular respect than John E. Free, a prosperous 
farmer of Wayne township and the president of the school board of his home 
township. His whole life of more than a half century has been spent on the 
farm where he is now living and thus the people ha\e had an opportunit\- to 
know him in every phase of his character, and that he has been true to life in 
its every phase is manifest by the esteem and regard in which he is held by all 
those who know him. He has gained his success b\' his honest endeavor and 
indomitable energy, and has placed himself in the front rank of the farmers 
of his community by exercising these excellent qualities. He has outstripped 
the less active plodders on the highwa}' of life and has achieved a marked suc- 
cess in agricultural affairs and won for himself a name which all men who 
know him delight to honor. 

John E. Free, the son of John and ^larv (Hixon) Free, was born on 
the farm where he is now living March 2^, ^863. His father, the son of 
John Free, was born in Ross county, this state, and he and his wife reared a 
family of six children : Mrs. Louisa DePoy : Samuel, who married Josie 
Smith ; Fred, who married Alcina Bainter ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Almetta. de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Charles Burns, and John E., of whom this record 
speaks. The grandfather of John E. Free, whose name was also John E., 
was a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio and settled in Ross count\- in 
1800. 

John E. Free received his education in the common schools of Waxne 
township, and at the age of eighteen began farming for himself by renting 
land from his father. After the death of his father the paternal estate was 
divided and John E. Free received the home place as his portion of the estate. 
On this farm he has placed many improvements and keeps it in a high state 
of productivity by scientific crop rotation and the proper fertilization of the 
ground. He raises good crops and feeds most of his grain to live stock, 
which he always keeps on the farm. 

Mr. Free was married December 24, 1891, to Lula Ware, the daughter 
of Anaias and Melinda (Eyman) Ware, and to this union have been born 
three children, Francis M.. Walter and Dwight. Francis M. married Everett 
Rife, and has one son, J. Norborn. 

Politically, Mr. Free is a Democrat and has always been interested in 



J-AYETTK COTNTN', OHIO. 683 

local politio, and al the present time he is a nienilier ot the sciiool hoard (jI 
his townsld]), ser\inij as its president, i^'raternally, he is a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the jnnior Order of United American 
-Mechanics. The members of his family are adherents of the Methodist 
l^piscopal chnrch, in whose welfare they are deeply interested and to whose 
support they are liberal contributors. 



LAWSON A. PARRETT. 



There is no group of men to whom greater gratitude is due from the 
world at large than those who fought for their country in the dark daws of 
the sixties, "fhese ])atriotic, sacrificing citizens who left their firesides and 
enrolled to fight for their country's flag that this might be a united nation 
cannot be accorded too much honor. They fought to establish forever on 
this continent the self-evident truth that "all men are created free and equal."' 
and with the fall of Robert E. Lee in the spring of 1865 there passed from 
this country the blackest stain which has ever figured in its history. Fayette 
county. Ohio, furnished hundreds of brave men for this struggle, and among 
them is Lawson A. Parrett, a life-long resident of this county, a public-spirited 
citizen and a man who is greatly beloved b}- all who know him. 

Lawson A. Parrett, the son of Isaac F. and Mary Ann (Keplinger) 
Parrett, w^as born at Parrett Station in Jefferson township, this county. 
November 10, 1841. His father was a son of Joseph J. and Rebecca 
( Fansher) Parrett, and was born near Knoxville, Tennessee. Isaac Parrett 
came to Fayette county, Ohio, when he was one year old with his parents and 
lived in this county the remainder of his days. Joseph J. Parrett w'as in the 
War of 1812, and his wife's father, Isaac Fansher. was a soldier of the 
Revolutionary War from the state of Virginia. Joseph J. Parrett, familiarh' 
known to his friends as "Tennessee Joe." was one of the first settlers in 
Fayette county and a man who took a prominent part in its early history. 
Isaac Parrett and wife were the parents of five children, Mrs. Rebecca [. 
Allen, Noah B., Lawson A., Mrs. Caroline Welton and Mrs. Susan Welton. 

Law^son A. Parrett attended the rude log school house in his home neigh- 
borhood and finished his education at a select school at Spring Grove, securing 
the best education which was possible in his day. As a youth he worked (mi 
the farm and at a time when farm labor meant the hardest kind of work. 
At the early age of twenty he enlisted in the Civil War and served through- 



684 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

out that memorable struggle. He enlisted at Washington C. H., December 
29, 1 86 1, with the Twelfth Regiment of United States Infantry, and was 
assigned to duty in Company A, with Thomas Anderson as captain. He was 
captured on June 2, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Virginia, and placed in Libby 
prison, where he remained for fifteen days. He was then transferred with a 
number of other prisoners to Andersonville, Georgia, where he remained for 
three months, when he w^as taken to Charleston, South Carolina, where he 
stayed two weeks, and later taken to Florence, in that state, where he was 
incarcerated when paroled. He fought in a large number of the severest 
engagements of the war, among them being Cedar Mountain, Bull Run. 
Antietam. Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania. Laurel Hill, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church and several 
others. His last battle was the battle of Cold Harbor, where he was cap- 
tured. His record appears remarkable when it is known that he participated 
in forty-eight different battles and skirmishes before he was finally captured. 

Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Parrett returned to Fayette 
county, and upon his marriage, in 1866, began to farm in Wayne township, 
where he has since lived. He has retired from active farm life after a suc- 
cessful career of over half a century and is now living quietly in his handsome 
country home in Wayne township. 

Mr. Parrett was married on Christmas day, 1866, to Jennie Campbell, 
the daughter of Lenox and Rebecca (Johnson) Campbell. Mrs. Parrett's 
father was born in Alexandria, Maryland, and served for two years during 
the Civil War as a member of the First Ohio Cavalry. Lenox Campbell was 
a son of James Campljell, a soldier of the Re\olutionary War and a native 
of Scotland, who resided in Maryland. To Lenox Campl)e]l and wife were 
born eight children, Jennie. Charles. Laura, William, Fmma. Marietta, Jessie 
and Frank. All of these children are still living except William and Emma. 

Mr. Parrett and wife have reared a family of seven children to lives of 
usefulness and iionor, Stella, Hallie, Laura, Roy and Ert, Ethel and an infant, 
deceased. Stella is the wife of C. C. I'arrett and has one son. Gale; Hallie 
is the wife of Charles Durnell and has three children, Sara, Byron and Frank; 
of these, Sara married S. Giffer and has one daughter, Ruth, the only great- 
grandchild of Mr. Parrett and wife; Laura married J. B. York and has two 
children, Mortimer and Maurine ; Roy luarried Mabel Rogers and has two 
children, Roger and Genevieve ; Erk is married to Chloe Free and has three 
children, Malcolm, Samuel and Donald; Ethel married Charles Goen and has 
one son. Dwi?ht. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 685 

Mrs. Parrett is a memlier of the Methodist Episcopal church. PoHti- 
cally, Mr. Parrett is a RepubHcan and has been casting his ballot for the candi- 
dates of this party for over a half century. He has always been more or less 
interested in local politics and at the present time is trustee of Wayne town- 
ship, discharging the duties of this responsible posiion in a manner which 
reflects credit upon himself. 



OSCO YEOMAN. 



The Yeoman family have been residents of Fayette county, Ohio, for 
nearly one hundred years and Osco Yeoman is the fourth in direct descent 
from his great-grandfather, James, who came to this county in 1815. The 
first member of the family to come to America from England was Stephen 
Yeoman, the great-great-grandfather of Osco Yeoman, with whom this 
narrative deals. Stephen Yeoman had four sons, Walter, Gilbert, Samuel 
and James. James Yeoman married Sarah Bates, the daughter of Stephen 
and Lydia Bates, natives of Vermont and of English descent. Ten children 
were born to James and Sarah (Bates) Yeoman: Abigail, Stephen, Joseph, 
Cyrene, Alva, Lydia, Jared, Minerva, Samantha, and Ira, the grandfather of 
Osco Yeoman. 

Ira Yeoman was born in 1808, near Buffalo. New York and his wife, 
Osea McElwain. was born in 181 1 near Good Hope, Ohio. She was the 
daughter of Robert and Jane McElwain, natives of Pennsylvania and later 
residents of Maysville, Kentucky, and still later of Fayette county, Ohio, 
where they settled in 18 10. Robert McElwain was born in 1779, and was 
married to Jane Taylor in 1804, ten children resulting from this union, 
James, John, William, Osea, Robert, Nancy, Samuel. Thomas, Eliza and 
Minerva. Robert McElwain was the first justice of the peace in Wayne 
township, Fayette county, and people came to him from far and near to settle 
their difiicnlties. 

Ira Yeoman came with his parents to Ohio in 1815, being a lad of seven 
years at the time. They first located in Columbia, a small village near Cin- 
cinnati, and in the fall of 181 5 removed to Wayne township. Fayette county, 
where James Yeoman, the father of Ira, lived until his death. The first 
winter the family spent here in 181 5 was filled with all kinds of discourage- 
ments. The family lived in a house Avhich they built in one day, the house 
consisting of a mere pen built with poles and had neither floor nor windows. 



68() FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Through these primitive conditions Jra Yeoman was reared to manhood and 
in 1830 married Osea McElwain. Ira Yeoman was one of the substantial 
and trusted citizens of his township and county. He served as township 
trustee for fifteen years, clerk for two years and as county commissioner for 
three years, filling all of these positions in an efficient and very satisfactory 
manner to his fellow citizens. 

One of the largest birthday celebrations which ever took place in Fayette 
county occurred August i, 1896, when nearly one thousand people assembled 
in honor of the eighty-fifth anniversary of Mrs. Ira Yeoman. Several hun- 
(h-ed invitations had been sent out, and everybody came with well filled 
l>askets and prepared for a big feast and a pleasant time. The crowd was 
made up of old and young from far and near, and included a large number 
of pioneer citizens who had come to pay their respects to the aged couple and 
talk over the days of long ago when Fayette county was a wilderness. At 
that time Mr. and Mrs. Ira Yeoman were probably the oldest pioneer couple 
in the county and had been married for sixty-six years. 

Robert Yeoman was the only child born to Ira and Osea (McElwain) 
^'eoman, and grew to manhood in Wayne township, this county, and married 
Elizabeth J. Hill, and to this union were born five children : Osco, the im- 
mediate subject of this review; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Andrew 
Clark; Ella, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Doster ; Emma, the wife 
of Joseph White, and William Ira, deceased. The first wife of Robert Yeo- 
man died and he afterwards married Caroline Parker, and to the second union 
eight children were born, Mary, Joseph W., Eftie. Martha. Robert, Earl, 
Luella and Nellie. 

Osco Yeoman attended the Rock Mills school in his home township, and 
later attended the district schools in Jasper township. At the age of twenty 
he began renting land and in 1894 purchased his present farm of eighty-five 
acres in Wayne township about one mile from Rock Mills. 

Osco Yeoman was married December 24, 1874, to Susan Baughn, and to 
this union five children have been born : Jessie, who married Iva Edwards ; 
Orpah E., the wife of Harley King, is the mother of four children, Marcus 
H., Dorothy M., Susan L. and Finer M. Ida J., the youngest child of Mr. 
and Mrs. Yeoman, is deceased, as is Apel. 

Politically, Mr. Yeoman is a member of the Republican party, but has 
never had any inclination to make the race for any public office, preferring- 
to devote his time and attention to his agricultural interests. Fraternally, 
he is a member of the Modern \^^oodmen of America and. religiously, he and 
his family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 687 

SIM UN P. VAN PELT. 

One of the distinguished veterans of the Civil War who has answered 
the last roll call is Simon P. Van Pelt, who spent his entire life in Concord 
township, Fayette county, Ohio. As a citizen, as a soldier and as a public- 
spirited man of affairs he performed his every duty in a way which brought 
him the hearty commendation of his fellow citizens. For four long years he 
served his country faithfully and well. In the tented camp, on the battle 
field, by day and by night, the debt which the American people owe to those 
gallant boys in blue can never be repaid, but a grateful people honor the 
living and remember those gone with reverence. 

Simon P. Van Pelt was born on the 8th day of November, 1836, and 
died at his home in Concord township, January 2, 191 3. He was the son of 
Peter and Mary (Row) \ an Pelt, natives of New York and early settlers in 
Ross county, Ohio. Suljsequently they moved to Fayette county, where they 
lived the remainder of their days. Twelve children, all of whom are de- 
ceased, were born to Peter \'an Pelt and wife: Russell, Andrew, William, 
Charles, Simon, Oliver, ]\Irs. Sarah Craig, Mrs. Mary Johnson, Anna, Mrs. 
[Elizabeth Rowe, Mrs. Susan Post and Jane. 

Simon P. Van Pelt spent his entire life upon the farm with the excep- 
tion of the four years which he spent in the service of his country. As a 
yi)uth he attended the short winter terms of school in the rude log school 
houses of his home neighborhood, and this meager education he supplemented 
with wide reading in after life, S(^ that he was always regarded as an ex- 
ceptionally well informed man. At the opening of the Civil War, he enlisted 
w ith hundreds of other young men from Fayette county and bore his share 
of the terrible burdens of that struggle with a fortitude which marked him 
as a man of bravery and endurance. He enlisted at the opening of the Civil 
W-dr in the Seventy-third Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was 
mustered in as a musician in Company I. He served the full four years of 
the war, and then returned to his farm and resumed the peaceful pursuit of 
civil life. He remained at home until his marriage in 1871, and then began 
to farm for himself and for fifty years he led the simple life of a plain and 
unostentatious farmer, doing his every duty as he saw it and living a life 
which commended him to his neighbors and friends. 

Mr. Van Pelt was married in 1871 to Martha Eldrick. the daughter of 
Bernard and Sarah ( McClure) Eldrick. Her father was a native of Penn- 
sylvania and first located in Leesburg. Ohio, where he found employment on 



688. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the boats plying up and down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He was a 
hatter by trade and subsequently became a merchant. In the latter part of 
his life he engaged in farming, and at the time of his death was the owner 
of a well improved farm of one hundred acres. There were seven children 
born to Bernard Eldrick and wife, Mary, James, John, Mrs. Emma Love, 
Mrs. Martha Van Pelt, Etta and Mrs. Anna Leverton. All of these children 
are now deceased with the exception of Martha and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. 
Van Pelt reared a family of two children, Mary and John E. Mary is the 
wife of Charles Mark, and has one son, Marion, who is now being educated 
at Staunton, Ohio. John E. is managing the home farm. 

Politically, Mr. Van Pelt was a Republican and, while interested in 
local politics, yet was never an active party man. He always took an acti^ e 
interest in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, and belonged to 
the John Bell Post for many years. He with his family were loyal members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Thus, in brief, is the sketch of the life 
of the late Simon P. Van Pelt, a man who was admired for the life he lived 
and a man in whom everyone placed the utmost confidence. 



HENRY HOPPES. 



The first member of the Hoppes family came to Fayette county, Ohio, in 
1806, four years before the county was even organized. John Hoppes, the 
father of Henry Hoppes, with wdiom this narrative deals, came from North 
Carolina with his parents in 1804, and settled wdth them on the Ohio river 
in Gallia county. In fact, the Hoppes family have been identified with the 
history of this county for one hundred and ten years, probably as long as any 
other family now represented within the limits of the county. Henry Hoppes 
has spent all of his eighty-three years in this county where he is now living, 
and during that time has seen the county emerge from a primeval forest to 
its present condition of prosperity. He served his country gallantly and well 
in the Civil War and spent two years at the front. His whole life has been 
a busy one, yet in the midst of his labors he has always found time to assist 
those who were less fortunate than himself, and therefore well merits tlie 
high esteem with which he is held by his friends and acquaintances. 

Henry Hoppes, the son of John and Nancy (Brown) Hoppes, was born 
in Wayne township, July 2, 1831, and, as stated, his parents were from 
North Carolina, and located in Ohio in 1804 o^i the Ohio river. John 



7i w 




FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 689 

Hoppes grew to nianhoixl in Ohio and then returned to Xorth C arohna, 
married and brought lu's voung bride to Fayette eounty in 1806. He entered 
government land and cut out a farm tnMii the dense forests which covered 
the land at that time. W'lien the War of i(Si2 came on, he enlisted for 
service in his country's defense and served dm"ing that terrible struggle, re- 
turning to his farm in icSi4, at the close of the war. He and his wife reared 
a family of twelve children, Henry, whose history is here related, being the 
only one living. The other eleven children are as follows : Mary, Jacob, 
Jane, Solomon, Betsy, John, Nancy, Henton, Afargaret, Austin and Sarah. 
It is interesting to note that John Hoppes and his young bride, Nancy Brown, 
moved from North Carolina to Ohio on pack horses and that the fift}' acres 
on which they settled in this county was purchased ^^■ith money earned ]>\^ the 
young bride by weaving". 

Henry Hoppes attended school in the little log school house near Paint 
creek in his home township, and finished his educational training in the 
Locust Grove school. He worked on the home farm until 1850, being at that 
time nineteen years of age. He then went to California, driving an ox team 
overland, and remained there for nine years. While living in California he 
was first married, but after the death of his wife, in 1859, he returned to the 
county of his birth and bought a farm in Green township near Jamestown. 
He enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 
1 86 1, and served for two years, after which he returned to his farm, where 
he has since resided. 

Mr. Hoppes was first married in California in the fifties to Lucy Raines, 
and to this union two children were born, Mrs. Sarah F. Sager and Mrs. 
Alice Davis. The second marriage of Mr. Hoppes was to Sarah J. Smith, 
and to this union two children were born, Mrs. Minerva Cook and John. 
The third marriage of Mr. Hoppes was to Amy Kerns, the daughter of 
William and Rebecca Kerns. William Kerns was a native of Fairfax, Vir- 
ginia, and had a family of seven children, Fliza, Amy, Mrs. Mariah Coe, 
Prescott, George W., John W. and Joseph S. Three of these children, Amv, 
Prescott and Joseph S., are living. To the last marriage of Mr. Hoppes was 
born one son, Valentine, who married Fmma Winn and has four children. 
Hazel, Donald, Leland and Howard H. Of these children. Hazel and 
Donald are deceased. 

Mr. Hoppes is a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic and 
always takes an active interest in the afTairs of the local post. He has been 
a member of the Baptist church for more than fortv years and has always 
(44) 



i^gO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

lived a life consistent with its teachings. He is now living a retired life on 
his excellent farm of eighty acres in Marion township, where he has been 
residing for more than half a century. His life has indeed been a busy one 
and full of interesting experiences. He is a man who is still hale and hearty 
and able to recount his famous drive across the country to California in 1850, 
as well as his Civil-war experiences. His whole life has been such as to win 
for him the esteem and good will of his fellow citizens, and no man in the 
county is more beloved and highl}- respected. 



SILAS WOLFE. 



Every nation on the earth has contributed its quota to the population of 
l!ie Ignited States, but no nation has furnished better citizens for our country 
than has Germany. Hundreds of thousands of the best blood of Germany 
have come to this country and become substantial citizens of the various 
localities in which they settled. Fortunate indeed is the locality which has 
its (ierman descendants numbered among its citizens, for wherever they are 
found they are always among the most substantial citizens of the community. 
There are very few foreign-born citizens in Fayette county, Ohio, and ac- 
cording to the 191 o census there were only eight who were born in Germany. 
One of the best remembered German citizens of the past generation is Silas 
Wolfe, who lived in this county for more than half a century. 

The late Silas Wolfe was born in Germany in 1830, and died at his 
country home in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio, in 1904. He was 
ihe son of Joseph and Marie ( Kowientz ) Wolfe, and one of eight children, 
Joseph, Anton, Marie, Silas, Caroline, Kowientz, George and Charles. All 
of these children are now deceased except Caroline, George and Kowientz. 

Silas Wolfe was educated in Germany and came to America in 1854, the 
voyage to this countr\' occupying forty-eight days. Upon coming to this 
country he first settled at Chillicothe, Ohio, l)ut shortly afterwards located in 
Favette county, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a success- 
ful farmer and at the time of his death was the owner of a tine farm of one 
hundred and fiftv acres in AWiyne township. 

Mr. Wolfe was twice married, his first wife, to whom he was married in 
J871. being Rose Gangle. and to this union one child, Amiel. was born. After 
the death of his first wife, lie was again married, on Christmas day, 1876. to 
Margaret (jcrber. the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Weaver) Gerber, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 69 1 

natives of Germany, who had been raised in their native land and married in 
Pennsylvania after coming to America, and Mrs. Wolfe was born in Pennsyl- 
vania. Joseph Gerber and wife settled in Pennsylvania on a farm, where 
they reared a family of nine children. Mary, Charles, John, Frank, Margaret, 
Henry, Caroline, Antonie and Joseph. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe were the parents of eight children, Rose, Elizabeth, 
Emma, Louis, Sada, Frank, Lena and Pauline. Rose is the wife of Gale 
Evans; Elizabeth is the wife of Mitchell Martin; Emma is the wife of Fred 
Beals ; Louis married Lucinda Duff and has one daughter, Norma E. ; the 
other four children are unmarried and living with their mother. 

Mr. Wolfe was a loyal and devout member of the Catholic church, and 
held his membership in St. Benignus church at Greenfield, Ohio. He was a 
man of sterling equalities of character, even-tempered, patient and scrupulouslv 
honest in all the relations of life. He was devoted to his family and w^as of 
essentially domestic tastes, preferring his fireside to that of the public forum. 



ROBERT W. SORRELL. 



One of the pioneer farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, is R. W. Sorrell, 
who has been a resident of Wayne township for the past se\'enty-four years. 
He has seen this county emerge from a primitive forest to its present pros- 
perous condition, w'ith good roads, well-tilled fields, handsome homes and 
thriving towns and A'illages. In this transformation Mr. Sorrell has taken 
an active part and has been no inconsiderable factor in making his township 
one of the best agricultural sections of the county. While primarily de- 
voted to his own interests, he has not neglected to mingle in the civic life of 
his community and his support has always been given to measures of general 
welfare. 

R. W. Sorrell, the son of Robert Lee and Eliza (Sharp) Sorrell, was 
born December 20. 1840. in Wayne township. His father was a native of 
Virginia, as was his mother, and after their marriage they came to Ohio 
and located in F'ayette county. Eliza Sharp was the daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. John Sharp, natives of France. Robert L. Sorrell and wife reared a 
family of eleven children, Edwin, Belle, R. W., Anna, Jane and six who died 
in infancy. 

The limited education of Mr. Sorrell was received in the rude log school 
house of his immediate neighborhood in WaAue township and in the graded 



692 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

schools oi the county seat. At an early age he l)egan to work on the farms 
in his township and after liis marriay;c he worked and rented for aiiont 
twentv-two years. His i)resent farm comprises forty acres where he now 
lives. Bv a system of careful farming he has made a \ery comfortable living 
and reared a family of several children to li\'es of usefulness and honor. 

Air. Sorrell was married in 1865 to Mrs. Martha Sorrell, who was the 
\\ idow of the subject's brother and had three children. To this union there 
have been born eight children, Frank. Alvin, Minnie. Robert, Ida, Grace, 
les.se and one died in infancy. Three of the children are married, Alvin, 
Minnie and Ida. Politically, Mr. Sorrell is independent. 



WILLIAM THOMAS STEERS. 

Although a resident of Fayette county but a few \ears, yet so pro- 
nounced is the personality of William T. Steers that he has already impressed 
his individuality upon the community in which he lives. A man with a 
thorough business training along banking lines, he has taken charge of the 
Farmers Bank of Good Hope and made it one of the most successful of the 
smaller banks of the county. He thoroughly understands every phase of the 
banking business and having had a wide experience as a I>usiness man pre- 
vious to taking charge of this bank, he ^^as well qualified to pilot this new- 
financial institution. Although organized in ]c;io. the Farmers Bank of 
Good Hope has already made a reputation as a sound, safe and conservative 
bank, and well merits the patronage which it receives from this section o: 
the county. 

William Thomas Steers, the son of William H. and Elizabeth (Conrad) 
Steers, w^as born in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, November 12, 1873. His father 
was born in Covington, Kentucky, and was the son of William Steers, a 
native of Germany. The grandfather and his wife. Elizabeth, were the [)ar- 
ents of three children : William, the father of the immediate subject of this 
review ; Henry and James. William H. Steers was a small boy when his 
parents moved from Covington to Dry Ridge. Kentucky, and in the latter 
place was reared to manhood and lived the remainder of his days. He was a 
jirosperous farmer and a large land ow'ner, and at the time of his death, in 
1893. was one of the most substantial men of his community. He was acci- 
dentally killed by lightning in 1893. Nine children were born to William H. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 693 

Steers and wife, Jennie, Catherine, Fannie, Margaret, John S., Mrs. OlHe 
\'ance, WilHam T., NelHe and Rowena. All of these children are still living 
except Fannie. 

William T. Steers attended the district schools of his home neighbor- 
hood in his native state, and then spent one year at the Normal School in 
Lebanon, Ohio, He then entered Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indi- 
ana, where he spent three and one-half years, taking the business course. 
After graduating at Valparaiso he became an instructor in penmanship, book- 
keeping and shorthand in the normal school at Crookston, Minnesota. The 
next thirteen and one-half years were spent in Chicago, seven and one-half 
years of which were spent as bookkeeper and cashier for W. H. Carring- 
duff & Company, and the remainder of the time as bookkeeper and cashier 
of the T. H. Flood Company. In 19 lo he came to Good Hope, this county, 
and helped to organize the Farmers Bank in that place. 

The bank was organized with the following officials : President, E. D. 
King; vice-president, Isaac Cory; second vice-president, S. B. Hoppe; secre- 
tary, treasurer and cashier, William T. Steers; second cashier, Tillie B. 
Steers. The directors of the bank are as follows : Dr. S. E. Boggs, H. C. 
Smalley, R. J. Holdren and H. D. Johnson. The bank has a paid-up capital 
stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, with deposits of more than forty-five 
thousand dollars, which are increasing all the time. 

Mr. Steers was married January 10, 1899, to Tillie B. Bracht, the 
daughter of Alfred and Minnie (Holton) Bracht. Mrs. Steers' father was 
born in Kentucky and is now living the life of a retired farmer in his native 
state. Mr. and Mrs. Bracht reared a family of eight children, James, Mary, 
Tillie, Genia, Alfred, Charles, Holton and Mayme. The mother of these 
children is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Steers are the parents of one daughter, 
I'Aigenia Lucille. 

Mr. Steers is a Democrat in politics, but owing to the fact that he has 
l)een here but a short time and is so immersed in business, has not taken an 
active part in political matters. However, he takes an intelligent interest in 
all the political issues of the day, and being a man of wide reading and broad 
culture, he is thoroughly in sympathy with good government and gives his 
liearty support to all measures which have for their end the betterment and 
the welfare of the community in wdiich he has chosen to reside. He and his 
wife take a prominent part in the life of the community and. because of their 
w hole-souled hospitality and their geniality of manner, have built up a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances since becoming residents of this countv. 



694 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

THOMAS R. McCOY. 

A life of seventy-two years in this county gives Thomas McCoy the 
right to be classed among the pioneers of Fayette comity. There is such a 
marked change in the life of the early settlers as compared with the life of 
the people of the county today that the pioneer of one hundred years ago 
would not recognize his own farm were it possible for him to see it today. 
The life of the farmer is now surrounded with more comforts and con- 
veniences than the city dweller enjoyed a few years ago. The mail is left 
on his door step each day, the interurban car whirls past his door each hour, 
the telephone puts him into instant communication with his neighbors and the 
city and he can even buy a machine which will milk his cows. One of the 
best evidences of the prosperity of the present farmers of Fayette county is 
to be seen in their bank accounts, which total more than those of all others in 
the county. 

Thomas R. McCoy, one of the largest farmers in Wayne township, was 
born December 10, 1841, on the farm where he is now living. He is the son 
of Thomas B. and Margaret (Murray) McCoy, natives of Fredricksburg, 
Maryland, and Virginia, respectively. Thomas B. ]\TcCoy was the son of 
James and Sarah (Brown) McCoy and came to Ross county, Ohio, from 
Maryland when he was eighteen years of age, locating near Chillicothe on a 
farm. Shortly afterward he moved into Ross and Fayette counties and 
bought a farm of one hundred acres in Wayne township, where he and his 
wife reared a family of twelve children, James, Joseph, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Fernow, William, Allen, Mrs. Sarah Hegler. Judson, Hugh, Thomas R., 
Mrs. Mariah Stookey, Mrs. Anna Robinson and John. All of these children 
are now deceased with the exception of Elizabeth, Mariah, Thomas R., and 
Anna. Judson was a member of the Fifty-fourth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry. 

Thomas R. McCoy attended the schools of Ross and Fayette counties, 
completing his education in the schools of the latter county. He has always 
been on the home farm and began farming for himself when twenty-five years 
of age. He first rented a part of the paternal estate and later bought out the 
other heirs. He has placed extensive improvements on the farm and by 
close economy and good management has made his farm one of the best in 
the county. He gives particular attention to the breeding of horses and has 
been successful along this line. 

Mr; McCoy was married in T874 to Sarah Hackney, the daughter of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 695 

Edward and Mary E. (McKay) Hackney, natives of Virginia and early 
settlers in Clinton county, Ohio. To this union there have been born four 
children, Edward (deceased), IMary D.. Russell D.. T. Glenn and Oscar E.. 
who is running the home farm. 

Politically. Mr. McCoy is a stanch Republican and has always been 
deeply interested in local politics. He has served as township assessor with 
satisfaction to the citizens of Wayne township. He has also been on the 
school l)oard of his township. All the family are attendants of the Baptist 
church and contribute liberally of their means to its support. 



HUGH E. ELLIOTT. 



The life of the farmer today is the most independent existence which a 
man can lead. The farmer is getting better prices for everything than he 
ever did before and the chances are that the market price of all grains and 
live stock will never be any lower than they are today. The man with a farm 
of at least fifty acres can make a very comfortable living and many are doing 
it on a less acreage. One of the successful farmers of Fayette county is 
Hugh E. Elliott, of Wayne township, who rents his father's farm of one 
hundred and sixty-four acres on the Rock Mill road, one mile from Good 
Hope. 

Hugh E. Elliott, the son of Milton S. and Ursula (Grubbs) Elliott, was 
born March 12, 1874, in Jackson county, Missouri, near Warrensburg. Hugh 
E. Elliott came with his parents to Fayette county when he was three years 
of age. He first attended the Rogers school in Paint township and later the 
Jefferson and Shady Side schools. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-one when he began farming for himself and is still renting land in 
Wayne township. As a farmer he keeps fully abreast of the times and is 
classed among the progressive farmers of his township. He divides his 
attention between the raising of grains and live stock and has met with suc- 
cess commensurate with his efforts. 

Mr. Elliott was married February 24, 1898, to Mary Moore, the daugh- 
ter of George T. and Lydia (Bradshaw) Moore. George T. Moore was 
born in Pike county. Ohio, the son of James and Christina (Penisten) Moore 
and has reared a family of four children: Curtis (deceased), Mary, Clarence 
(of Boston), and Orville (of Cleveland). Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have two 
children, Laverne and Ursula Anne. 



696 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

In politics. Mr. Elliott is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, but 
has never taken an active part in political affairs. The family are loyal mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Personally, Mr. Elliott is a man of 
pleasing address and has a host of friends throughout the county where he 
has lived so many years. 



ELIAS PRIDDY. 



The Bible says that the allotted age of man is three score and ten years, 
and yet there are many who live beyond this age. Fayette county, Ohio, 
has many old citizens, among the best known of whom is Elias Priddy, of 
Concord township, who was born in that township ninety-one years ago. He 
has lived under every President from James Monroe down to the present 
time, and has seen more changes in civilization than have taken place during 
all the preceding ages of history. Although he was not married until he was 
nearly thirty years of age, yet he and his wife have been married more than 
sixty-two years, being one of the oldest married couples in this county today. 
During his long life Mr. Priddy has always been interested in everything 
which pertained to the development of his county, and the clean and whole- 
some life he has lived and the kindly disposition which he has always main- 
tained toward his neighbors have endeared him to a large circle of friends 
and acquantances throughout the county. 

Elias Priddy, the son of George and Jane (McDonald) Priddy, was 
born in Concord township, in 1823. His parents were natives of Virginia 
and settled in Ross county, Ohio, in the early tw^enties, shortly afterward 
locating in Fayette county. Three children were born to George Priddy and 
wife, Mrs. Matilda Flannigan, Mrs. Maria Mark and Elias. 

The boyhood days of Elias Priddy were filled with hard work and yet 
he had pleasures which the boys of today will never know. He recalls many 
interesting incidents surrounding his boyhood days — the days of the corn- 
husking bees, the country dances, the log rollings and the house raisings. 
His education was confined to the rudiments of reading, writing and arith- 
metic, since the schools of the twenties and thirties were very limited in their 
instruction. His entire life has been spent on the farm in this township, 
and he now owns a neat and attractive little farm of thirty acres near the vil- 
lage of Staunton in Concord township. Although he was more than forty 
years of age when the Civil War broke out, yet he enlisted in the One Hun- 



ft) 
> 
a 

> 

3 
o 





FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 697 

dred and Sixty-eighth Regiment oi Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served for 
more than a year with distinction. He was then drafted on his return home 
and paid nine hundred dollars for a substitute to take his place. Immediately 
after the close of the war he returned to his farm and has since followed 
agricultural pursuits. 

Mr. Priddy was married January ii, 1852, to Rachel Williams, and to 
this union has been born one son, George. Politically, Mr. Priddy has long 
been identified with the Republican party and before its organization voted 
the Whig ticket, casting his first vote in the fall of 1844. He is a loyal 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has always been deeply 
interested in the welfare of the old soldiers. He and his wife have been life- 
long members of the Methodist Episcopal church and interested in all the 
good work of that denomination. This grand old couple are greatly beloved 
in the township where the}' live and the people delight to honor them in every 
way. They are people of kindly disposition, genial impulses and always 
ready to assist anyone in times of trouble or distress. It is not often given 
to people to live more than ninety years, and for this reason Fayette county 
takes particular pleasure in honoring this venerable couple. 



CHARLES LININGER. 



The Lininger family has been identified with the history of Fayette 
county, Ohio, for many years, and its members have always taken a prom- 
inent part in the life of the communities in which they lived. They are all 
successful farmers and are men who give stability to their respective localities. 
One of the three brothers of this family whose careers are presented in this 
volume is Charles Lininger, whose life has been such as to accord him a 
place among the representative citizens of his township. His whole life has 
been devoted to agriculture, with the result that he has attained a pecuniary 
independence commensurate with his efforts. 

Charles Lininger, the son of Michael and Adeline (Holloway) Lininger, 
was born in Ross county, Ohio, December 15, 1876. His father, who was the 
son of William and Catherine ( Hyer) Lininger, was a native of Ross county, 
this state. Fred and Eva Lininger, the parents of William, came from Vir- 
ginia and settled in Ross county. Ohio, early in its history. Charles Lininger 
is one of twelve children born to his parents, the others being John, Mar\-, 
Etta, Lida, William. Jennie, Jesse, Russell, Ernest. Kate and Bertha. Etta 



698 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and W^illiam are deceased, while of the other children, John and Jesse are 
represented by personal biographies elsewhere in this volume. 

The education of Charles Lininger was received in Fayette county, and 
he remained with his parents on the farm until he reached his majority. 
He came to Fayette county when a child with his parents and at the age of 
twenty-one began farming in Marion township, where he is now residing. 
He divides his attention between the raising of crops and the breeding and 
raising of high grade live stock in such a way as to yield him a comfortable 
livelihood. 

Mr. Lininger was married January 10, 1906, to Bessie Ward, the daugh- 
ter of William and Anna (Myers) Ward, and to this union have been born 
five sons, Willard, Walter, Alfred, Martin and Paul. 

Mr. Lininger is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the 
Republican party, but has never felt that he had the time to devote to political 
matters. 



HARRIS B. DAHL. 



One of the largest business firms of Washington C. H.. Ohio, is the 
Midland Grocery Company, a wholesale company which does a large busi- 
ness throughout the state of Ohio, employing a large force of salesmen on 
I he road all the time. Harris B. Dahl is the treasurer of the company and 
has been connected with the firm since 1882. His father before him was a 
merchant in Washington C. H., and consequently his early training was 
directed along mercantile lines. He has made an unusual success in business 
and ranks as one of the most substantial and prosperous business men of 
Washington C. H. 

Harris B. Dahl, the son of George and Ruth fBereman) Dahl, was 
born in Washington C. H. May 30, 1859. His parents, who were natives of 
Brown county, Ohio, and Washington C. H., respectively, reared a family 
of four children: Lizzie, the widow of Col. B. H. Millikan; LTarris B.. of 
Washington C. H. ; Victoria, the wife of T. W. Marchant, of Washington 
C. H.. and Ethel, deceased, who was the wife of William Campbell. 

George Dahl came to Fayette county and located in Washington C. H. 
when he was a small lad. coming to this county with his mother. As a young 
man he manufactured candies and delivered them by wagon, later engagmg 
in the retail grocery business in Washington C. H. He gradually branched 
out into the wholesale grocerv business and continued in this line until his 



FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 



699 



deatli, in 1898, at the age of sixty-four. His wife still survives him at the 
age of sevent3^-eight. George Dahl and his wife were both members of the 
Methodist church. 

The paternal grandparents of Harris B. Dahl were natives of Germany 
and came to America in an early day. locating in Brown county, Ohio, and 
were pioneer settlers of that county. Grandfather Dahl died in middle age 
and his widow came to Fayette county, where her death occurred in Wash- 
ington C. H. at an advanced age. The grandfather of H. B. Dahl had a 
large family of children : Henry, Jacob, George, Mrs. Catherine Rapp. Mrs. 
Ann Siehl, Mrs. Mary Hirt and Mrs. Ziegler 

The maternal grandparents of Harris B. Dahl were Joel S. and Sina 
(Thompson) Bereman, of Scotch-English descent, and pioneer settlers in 
Fayette county. Mr. Bereman was in the hardware business and was famil- 
iarly known as "Judge Bereman." He was twice married, and by his first 
marriage had one son and four daughters : Clayton, Elizal)eth. Jennie. Ruth 
and Victoria. His second wife was a Miss Porter, and to this union were 
born three children : Eli. Porter and Catherine. 

Plarris B. Dahl was reared in Washington C. H. and attended the local 
high school until the age of seventeen, when he entered the State University 
at Columbus, where he remained three years. He then spent one year in the 
medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and a year 
in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, after which he took a 
course in the laboratory of the State University of Ohio with the intention of 
becoming a physician. 

Plowever, Mr. Dahl finally decided to engage in the business which had 
made his father so successful, and in 1882 he embarked in the retail grocery 
business in Washington C. H., and two years later he started the wholesale 
busmess. This has grown into a business of large proportions and goods from 
Washington C. H. are shipped all over the state of Ohio, as well as other 
states. The company now has four large buildings. The original building 
burned December 30, 191 t. The firm was incorporated under the name of The 
Midland Grocery Company, with a capital stock of five hundred and eight 
thousand dollars common stock and six hundred and thirty-six thousand dol- 
lars preferred stock. The company also has a large store in Columbus, Ohio, 
which is the headquarters of the firm. The Washington C. H. store is called 
the Dahl-Millikan Branch. 

The officers of the Midland Grocery Company are as follows A. S. 
Hammond, of Columbus, president; Col. B. H. Millikan, vice-president; C. 
C, Benbow. secretary; H. B. Dahl. treasurer, and William M. Campbell. 



yOO FAYETTK COUNTY, OHIO. 

manager of the Dahl-Millikan branch at Washington C. H. The company 
employs about sixty people in the branch store at Washington C. H. and a 
similar number in the Columbus store. Mr. Dahl is a director in the Com- 
mercial Bank of Washington C. H. and president of the Washington C. H. 
Gas and Electric Company, and has money invested in \arious other business 
enterprises in the county seat. 

Mr. Dahl was married September i8, 1890, to Mary Maynard, the 
daughter of Col. Horatio and Clara (Blakemore) Alaynard, and to this 
union four daughters have been born : Fanny, Charlotte, Nina and Mary. 
I'anny is the wife of Conrad Schweitzer, of Los Angeles. California. 

Mrs. Dahl was born in Washington C. H., and her mother was a n^ive 
of Virginia and her father of Holden, Massachusetts. Her father came 
from Drewsville, New Hampshire, to Fayette county, Ohio, when he was a 
\oung man. He was a school teacher in early life and later practiced law, 
and was a partner of Judge Briggs and H. L. Hadley, of Washington C. H.. 
and H. M. Daugherty, of Columbus, for many years. Colonel Maynard 
was a soldier in the Civil War and was the colonel of the One Hundred and 
]''ourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving three years at the 
front. He died in 1907, aged over eighty years, while his wife still survives 
him at the age of seventy-eight. Eight children were born to Colonel May- 
nard and wife: Herbert P., John P., Walter E., Mary, Nina, Augustus F., 
Horatio and one who died in infancy. 

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Dahl were John Phillips and Roxey 
( Davis) Maynard, of English descent. They died in Drewsville, New 
Hampshire, after rearing a family of five children : Caroline. Cleora, Horatio 
?)., Mary and Augustus. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Dahl were 
Harvey and Ann (Millikan) Blakemore, his wife being born in Washington 
C. H., and here they both died at the ages of sixty-one and sixty-four, re- 
si)ectively. Mr. Blakemore was a merchant and a sheriff in the early history 
of Fayette county. Seven children were born to Harvey Blakemore and 
wife: Clara, Josephine. Emma. Charles, Lee, Wyatt and Anna. 

Politically, Mr. Dahl is identified with the Republican j^arty. but his 
extensive Intsiness interests have been such that he has never taken an active 
part in political matters. Mr. Dahl is a man of sterling character, quiet and 
unassuming in his manner, with a kindly word for his neighbors, and a man 
whose veracity has never been questioned. It is needless to say that such a 
broad-minded man stands high in public estimation and is today one of the 
representative business men of h^ayette county. 



A^-ETTi-: c•()l■NT^■, OHIO. 



lEROME TAYLOR. 



701 



One of the most eiUerprisint.- citizens of L'nion township. Fayette county, 
f )hio. is Jerome Taylor, farmer and dairyman. It is a well authenticated 
fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied enerov. 
unflagging- determination and perseverance in a course when once decided 
u])on. He who succeeds financially has the ahility to see ojjportunities where 
one less gifted does not, and by taking advantage of same he turns the tide 
to his own account. While winning his way along financial lines, Mr. Tavlor 
possesses those ])rinciples and attributes which not only win the confidence 
and respect of his fellow men, but which also bring him the admiration and 
sincere liking of those who know him. 

Jerome Taylor was born on January 27, 1874, on the farm where he 
now makes his home, being the son of William E. and Nancy A. (Drais) 
Taylor, both of whom were born in this same township and are at present liv- 
ing in comfortable retirement in Washington C. H. The subject's farm con- 
tains three hundred and four acres of excellent farming lands, much of which 
is devoted to pasture to accommodate his one hundred and five milch cows. 
This farm, known among the older residents as the old Taylor farm, is located 
just at the edge of the city and is more widely known as the Washington 
Avenue Dairy Farm. In this enterprise Mr. Taylor is highly successful, 
operating his business along most modern and approved lines. In addition 
to the dairy business, he is also owner of two moving picture shows in the 
city of Washington C. H., one being known as the ''Air Dome" and the other 
as the "Palace." 

The subject is one of a family of five children, the others being Harry 
D., Roy C, Anna (Mrs. McFadden) and Edward, deceased. Mr. Taylor is 
the oldest of the family, and received his elementary education in the common 
schools of the home locality, finishing his education in later years at the Ohio 
Wesleyan Universit}-, where he took a classical course. When quite a young 
man he began assisting his father in the work of the home farm, and this 
he continued at all odd times throughout his years of schooling, all of whicli 
ably fitted him for his chosen vocation of farming. 

On November 9, 1902, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Sallie 
Steele and to their union have been born four children, the second of whom, 
their son Charles, is deceased. The others are Pauline E., aged ten years; 
Anna Lee, six years old, and Robert C, aged three vears. Mr. and Mrs. 



702 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Taylor move in the best social circles and are highly esteemed by a large 
circle of friends. 

Politically. Mr. Taylor is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, 
taking an active interest in local politics. For six years he served as town- 
ship trustee and was township assessor for five years, acquitting himself to 
the satisfaction of all in the duties of these offices. His religious affiliation 
is with the Methodist Episcopal church and to the support of the local society 
he gives generously of his means. He is broad in his religious views and is 
also warmly interested in the welfare of other church organizations. Mr. 
Taylor is a veteran of the Spanish-American war. having served in the Fourth 
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an 
intelligent community is a protracted residence therein, and the subject of this 
sketch, who has spent his entire life in the one locality, has. because of his 
earnest and consistent life and his high attainments in his chosen line of 
endeavor, earned the sincere respect and good opinion of all who know him. 
Mr. Taylor has performed his full part in every walk of life and has ever 
given his unreserved support to every movement for the public welfare. He 
comes of a family which has always stood for the best things in the com- 
munity and is counted among the progressive and enterprising families of 
the county. Personally, the subject is worthy of the high esteem in which 
he is held by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 



LUTHER L. SHELLEY. 



A review of the life of the honored and lamented Luther L. Shelley, 
whose earthlv career was terminated a few years ago. must of necessity be 
brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details 
of his career, touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of 
later days, would far transcend the limits of this biography. He filled a large 
place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and 
generation, while the memories which attach to his name and character form 
no inconsiderable chapter in the history of Jasper township, this county, 
where he spent so many years. His life was such as to entitle him to an 
honorable position in this biograjiliical history (^f his county, and it is emi- 
nentlv fitting that he 1)e included among the representative citizen';. That he 
did his part nol)lv and well is universally admitted, and the name he earned 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 7O3 

as an honest and upright citizen is the highest tribute which can be accorded 
him. 

The late Luther L. Shelley was born in 1866, in Greene county, Ohio, 
near Jamestown, and died November 11, 1909, at his country home in Jasper 
township, Fayette county, Ohio. He was the son of Mathias and Eliza 
(Sanders) Shelley, natives of Greene county, this state. Mathias Shelley 
and wife lived near Pleasant View, in that county, an5 reared a family of nine 
children. Marion. Morgan, Amanda, Flora, Eva, Jane, Anna. Luther L. and 
James. 

The education of Luther L. Shelley was received in the schools of Pleas- 
ant View and, in accordance with the custom then prevailing, he spent all of 
his summer vacations at work on the home farm. After his marriage he 
located in Jasper township, where he lived until his death. He was a prosper- 
ous and substantial farmer and accumulated an estate of one hundred and 
nine acres of good land ])y the exercise of good management and close 
economy. Flis wife was a true helpmate and much of his success was due 
to her efforts, a fact which he was always ready to acknowledge. 

Mr. Shelley \\ as married in 1879, to Alice Gray, the daughter of Jeffer- 
son and Ellen (Creamer) (iray. Jefferson Gray was a native of Virginia and 
was one of the early settlers in Fayette county. He and his wife were the 
parents of five children, Mrs. A'irginia Haines, Theodore, Oliver, Alice and 
]\Irs. Elmeda Thornburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Shelley were born twelve chil- 
dren, Ora, Olive, John. Alva. Raymond, Percy, George. Hubert. Dorothy, 
Bertha. Phillip and Harry. Of these children, all are still living with the 
exception of Bertha. Three of the children are married, Ora. Olive and 
Alva. Ora married J. C. ^^'hiteside and has one son, Franklin ; Olive became 
the wife of Frank Creamer and has five children, Marjorie, Roger, Grace. 
Hester and Richard: Alva married Ma}' Lucas, who is now deceased, as is 
their son, Donald. 

Mr. Shelley was a life-long Republican, but never liad any inclination 
t(3 take an active part in political matters. How^ever. he was interested in 
e\erything pertaining to good government and always gave his unreserved 
support to such measures as would bring it about. Fraternall}-. he was a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was always interested 
in the affairs of that fraternal organization. Mrs. Shellev is a woman of 
gracious tact and charm and is greatly beloved by all who know her. She is 
a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose welfare she 
has always been interested and to whose support she is a willing and generous 



704 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

contributor. Mr. Shelley was a man of broad syni])athies, kindly di.sposed 
toward the fault.s of others and e\er ready to lend a helping" hand to tliose 
less fortunate than himself. In everything that he did he was careful to 
observe a proper mode of conduct and thus left behind him a name which 
will always be cherished by his children and those with whom he was asso- 
ciated. The lives of such men mean much to a community, for they give 
stability and character to the locality where they li\e. Such a man \\as 
Luther L. Shelley ; thus he lived and thus he passed away. 



EDWARD E. COCKERILL. 

One of the earliest pioneer families t(j settle in Fayette county, Ohio, 
was the Cockerill family, which was first represented in this county by Will- 
iam S. Cockerill, a native of Loudoun count}', A^irginia, who was born in 
December, 1790, and came to Ohio in 181 2, shortly after his marriage, 
settling first on the Ohio river just above its union with the Hocking river. 
Here he lived until 1821, when he came to Fayette county and purchased land 
of John Rowe in Perry township. Here he lived for one year and then 
bought land of Air. Connor on the Little Wabash. William S. Cockerill was 
a man of decided literary tastes and more than ordinary intellectual ability. 
For several years after coming to this county he followed the profession of 
teaching in connection with farming. Fie served in the War of 181 2 in an 
Ohio regiment. William S. Cockerill was married four times, his first wife 
being Anna Lehman, to whom he was married in Virginia in 1809, and whose 
death occurred in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1821, shortly after the family 
moved to this county. Nine children were born to this first marriage, Eliza- 
beth, William, Milly, Samuel, Eldridge, Thomas G. and three who died in 
infancy. Thomas G. is the father of Edward E. Cockerill, with whom this 
narrative subsequently deals. The second wife of William S. Cockerill was 
Phoebe Mooney. the daughter of Judge Mooney, and to this second union 
nint children were l>orn, Mary A.. James, Lydia J., Harmanus, Amanda, 
Eliza, Anna and two who died in infancy. The second wife died in 1855, 
and in 1857 Mr. Cockerill married her sister, Eliza Mooney, who died in 
1862. The fourth and last marriage of William S. Cockerill occurred in 
1864, when he was united in marriage to Mrs. Doster, who died in 1873. 
William S. Cockerill lived until December 19, 1879, being nearly ninety years 
of age at the time of his death. He was a prosperous farmer and left an 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 7^5 

estate of four hundred acres of excellent land, which is now held by his 
descendants. 

Thomas G. Cockerill, the son of William S. and Anna (Lehman) 
Cockerill. was born in 1812, and was married September 29, 1 831, to Sylvitha 
Cochran, the daughter of Barnabas and Charlotta Cochran, natives of New 
Jersey and early settlers of Ohio, who came to this state in 1806. To 
Thomas G. Cockerill and wife were born nine children, William Newton, 
Martha J., Edward Estell, Jacob, Thomas, Samuel S., James W., Amelia O. 
and Eldridge W. Four of these sons w^ere in the Civil War, where they 
made a distinguished record for themselves. All of the nine children grew 
to manhood and womanhood, married and reared families of their own. 

Edw^ard Estell Cockerill, named in honor of the Rev. Edward Estell, 
was born January 22, 1837, in the township where he has always lived except 
ten years in other states. He is the third child of Thomas G. Cockerill and 
wife and one of the most highly honored residents of this county. He was 
born in a log cabin in Perry township, and spent a few months of his boy- 
hood years in the primitive schools of his home neighborhood, and early in 
life became used to hard manual labor. He married two years before the 
Civil War opened and left his wife and tw^o small children to serve his 
country. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry and served for four months toward the close of the 
struggle. Immediately after being mustered out of the service he returned 
to his farm and has been following that vocation since. He bought his 
present farm of two hundred and thirty acres, six miles from Washington 
C. H., in 1881, which farm was a part of his grandfather's estate and is now 
one of the most attractive farms in Perry township. Mr. Cockerill has 
always been a heavy stock raiser and has been uniformly successful along 
this particular line. He keeps his farm in good repair and has always kept 
it to a high state of productivity, so that he is able to secure the maximum 
results from his labors. 

Mr. Cockerill was married October 11, 1859, to Heressa Bineger, the 
daughter of George and Mary Bineger. natives of Virginia, and to this union 
have been born eleven children. Dennis, Eldridge, Minnie, A. G., Orville, 
Carrie. Melvin, Almeda, Gilbert, Lurella, Frank Willard. Dennis and 
Eldridge died before their father went to the front during the Civil War; 
Minnie married Eugene Horney and has four children. Fred, Jessie, George 
and Ralph; A. G. married Naomi Marks and has three children, Cleo (who 

(45) 



1706 ■ FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

married James Beatty. and lias one son, Russell B.), Clayton and Angeline; 
Orville is married; Carrie married Mr. Craig and has three children, Gene- 
vieve, Otis and Helen; Melvin married Miss Meeks and has four children, 
Edward M., Melvin, Russell and Estella ; .\lmeda is single and still living 
with her parents; Lurella is the wife of Harry Silkot and has two children, 
Roland and Edward, deceased ; Erank W. married INIiss Coffman and has one 
child ; Gilhert is married and has one son, Marcus. 

Mr. Cockerill has been a life-long Repuljlican in politics and has always 
been ver^- much interested in political matters. He has been trustee of his 
township, served as member of the school board, while he was commissioner 
of Fayette county for two terms. Eraternalh', he is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Eellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. He 
has been a member of the Alethodist Episcopal church for more than fifty 
years and has always been much interested in church work. He and his wife 
celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1909 and the occasion was 
observed in a most happy style. Mr. Cockerill is one of the best belo\-ed 
men in the township and no one is held in higher esteem and greater affection. 



C. H. PERRILE. 



A farmer and stock raiser of Jasjjer township, Eayette county, Ohio, is 
C. H. Perrill. who was born in this county forty-four years ago on his 
father's farm near where he is now living. His parents located in this county 
several years before the Ci\il War, and his father became one amongst tlie 
largest land owners of the township. Mr. Perrill is a practical farmer and 
has made a success of his chosen life. While primaril}- interested in his own 
affairs. Net he bias not neglected to take his share of the burdens of civic life 
and gives his unreserved support to all measures of merit. 

C. H. Perrill, the son of John and Margaret (Sparks) Perrill, was 
born Xo^-ember 25, 1870, in Jasper township, on his father's farm about 
eight miles northwest of Washington C. H. His father was born June 17, 
1823, in Highland C',)unty, Ohio, and li\ed there until he reached his four- 
teenth vear. Pie th.en went to Pike county, Ohio, and lived with his grand- 
parents until he attained his majority. Ele then became interested in the live 
stock lousiness and drove stock from Ohio to Pennsyh'ania and Mew "S^ork 
markets, following this line of acti\itv until he was twent}'-nine years of age. 
In 1852 he came to Eayette county and here was married on November 14, 
1855, to Margaret J. Sparks, the daughter of Elias Sparks. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 7O.7 

John Perrill was the son of Hugh Perrill, who died in Kentucky about 
1847, and his wife died in Iriighland county, Ob.io, in 1835. To John Rerrill 
and wife w^ere born eleven children : George, Airs. Ra Acton. Louis. Ed- 
ward, Mrs. Rebecca Custis. Charles H., Mrs. Laura Jones, Mrs. Margaret 
Glass, Frank and two who died in infancy. John Perrill was one of three 
children, the others being James and ]\Irs. Mary Brown. 

C. H. Perrill received all of his education at the South Plymouth school 
in this county. At the age of twenty-six he assumed the management of his 
father's large estate. 

He has identified himself with the \arious activities of his township, 
and although unmarried he takes an active interest in the social life of his 
locality. Politically. Mr. Perrill is a Republican, but often gives his support 
to a deserving friend of the opposing party. 



JACOB V. KENNELL. 

One of the many farmers of German ancestry in Fayette county is Jacob 
V. Kennell, of Linion township, wdio has been a resident of this county for 
the past half century. He has inherited all of those sterling characteristics 
which liave made the Germans successful wherever they have located and in 
Avhate\-er occupations they have engaged. The thrift and economy of the 
people from the Fatherland has become proverbial and they never fail to 
make a success of any undertaking to which they turn their attention. While 
Mr. Kennell has been primarily interested in his own affairs he has not neg- 
lected to take his share of the burdens of civic life and has thereby won the 
■esteem and regard of his fellow citizens. 

Jacob V. Kennell, the son of Valentine and Mary (Dohn) Kennell, w^as 
born in Jackson county, Ohio. October i8, 1849. ^^^ father was born in 
Germany, and came to America when a small boy wath his parents, locating 
in Jackson county, Ohio. The family w-ere among the early settlers and be- 
came prominently identified with the history of Jackson county. Valentine 
p"re\\- to manhood in that countv, married there and came to Favette countv 
in 1864 with his family. He and his wife reared a family of seven children, 
Catherine, Eva (deceased), Jacob V., Mrs. Barbara Miller (deceased), Mrs. 
Anna Nichols, William (deceased) and John. 

The education of Jacob V. Kennell was received in a rude log. scIkjoI 
house in Jackson county and in the district schools of Union township in Fav- 



708 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

ette county. He worked on his father's farm until his marriage and then 
began for himself on a rented farm in Union township. He saved his money 
and within a short time was able to buy part of his present farm. As he 
prospered from year to year he added to his land holdings until he now owns 
one hundred and sixty acres of fine land in Union and Marion townships 
about four miles from the county seat. He has placed some valuable im- 
provements on his farm and has built a fine country home of ten rooms, 
his home being equipped with all of the modern conveniences. He has 
divided his attention between the raising of crops and live stock with excellent 
success and is ranked among the best farmers of his township. 

Mr. Kennell was married March 5, 1872, to Catherine Knotts, the daugh- 
ter of Henry B. and Rachael (McGowen) Knotts. To this union there have 
been born three children : Eva, deceased, who was the wife of J. E. Robinson, 
and had one daughter, Catherine; Mae, the wife of Joseph Allemang; Percy, 
who married Nellie Heistand. 

The Democratic party has received the hearty support of Mr. Kennell 
since reaching his majority and he has always taken an active part in local 
political affairs. He has been especially interested in educational matters and 
has served as clerk of the school board of his township for the past twenty- 
one years, a remarkable record and one which shows the confidence his fel- 
low citizens have in his abilitv. 



LOUIS PERRILL. 



There are three means of measuring the magnitude of the farmer's 
income : the area of land under cultivation, the amount of working capital 
employed and the productive labor the farm furnishes. These three factors 
are not independent of each other. In general, the larger the area of pro- 
ductive land the greater the working capital and the amount of productive 
labor, but this is not always the case. Data are not available for determining 
the independent influence of these three means of measuring the magnitude 
of the farming business. Init much data has been collected by the United 
States government to show that each is closely correlated with profit. A most 
interesting study has been recently issued by the Department of Agriculture 
in regard to the farmer's profits. A detailed study of two hundred and 
seventy-three farms in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa revealed the fact that 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 709 

average profits are as follows : For farms averaging thirty-seven acres the 
profit was $416; seventy-two acres averaged $848; and increasing averages 
up to six hundred and twenty-three acres with a profit of $6,182. Whether 
Fayette county measures up to these averages the historian does not know, 
hut if all the farmers of the county were as successful as Louis Perrill, there 
would he no question hut that they were fully up to the average. 

Louis Perrill. the son of John and Margaret J. (Sparks) Perrill. was 
horn November 10, 1862, in Jasper township, in this county. His father 
was a native of Ross county, Ohio, and came to Fayette county when a 
\'Oung man. He married after settling in this county and reared a family of 
•eleven children, nine of whom are still living: George, Mrs. Ivy Acton, 
Louis, Mrs. Rebecca Custus, Edward L., Mrs. Laura M. Jones, Mrs. Mar- 
garet Glass, C. H., Frank and two infants who died in infancy. The mother 

of these eleven children was the daughter of Elias and (Hall) 

Sparks. John Perrill, the father of Louis, was one of three children, the 
■other two being James and Mrs. Mary Brown. 

Louis Perrill was educated in the schools of Jasper township and early 
in life began to assist with the work on the home farm. He spent all of his 
summer vacations on the farm and in this way had a good practical knowl- 
edge of all phases of agricultural life by the time he had reached his majority. 
At the age of twenty-six he moved to his present farm of two hundred and 
forty-seven acres, which, with the farm of one hundred and thirty acres 
since acquired, makes him one of the largest land owners of his township. 
He divides his attention between farming and stock raising and has met with 
a success commensurate with his efforts. 

Air. Perrill was married February 9, 1898, to Lucy Johnson, the daugh- 
ter of Solomon and Mary (Creamer) Johnson. To this marriage there has 
been born one son, Wallace C. Mr. Perrill and his wife are loyal members 
•of the Methodist Protestant church and are actively engaged in the work 
of their church. Mr. Perrill is superintendent of the Sabbath school and 
one of the class leaders of his denomination. 

Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the 
Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Politically, he has always 
been identified with the Republican party and has been active in political 
matters in his county. He has served as trustee of Jefferson township to the 
satisfaction of his fellow citizens and at the present time is filling the im- 
portant office of county commissioner, being elected to that position in the 
fall of 1912 by a handsome majority and re-elected in the fall of 1914 for 
a second term by one thousand majority. 



•lO FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



HON. TAAIES D. POST. 



It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a sncccssfnl, self-made man. 
Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, b_v his own unaided efforts, 
gradually overcomes the obstacles in the pathw^ay of success and liy the 
master strokes of his own force and vitality succeeds in forging his way to 
the front and winning for himself a position of intiuence and esteem among 
his fellow citizens. Such is the record, briefly stated, of him whose name 
appears at the head of these paragraphs and who for several decades has 
been numbered among the successful lawyers and representative citizens of 
Favette county. His life-long residence in this community has made his 
name widely and familiarly knowai. His life and the history of this locality 
for more than fifty years have been contemporaneous and he has performed 
his full sh.are in the upbuilding, development and progress of the county, 
taking an especially prominent part in the later-day grow'th of the commu- 
nity. He has been a consistent man in all phases of his career and his life has 
been characterized by an entire absence of pretense or sham. He is what 
the community holds him to be, a man among men, and one who has fairly 
earned tlie high position which is today his. 

James D. Post was born on a farm near Washington C. H., Fayette 
county, Ohio, on November 2t,, 1863. His parents, Abraham and Mary 
Jane (McCoy) Post, also were natives of Fayette county, and both died 
here, the father in icjog, at the age of sixty-eight years, and the mother at the 
earlv age of tw'enty-six years. Abraham Post was a farmer by vocation 
and was the son of Valentine Post, who came, with his wife, from Pennsyl- 
vania, being numbered among tl:e earliest pioneers of Fayette county. Here 
his death occurred at an advanced age. To him and his wife were born the 
following children : Andrew, Jacob, Abraham, Wesley, Barbara, Ann, Nel- 
son and Sarah J. Berry. Mary Jane Post w^as the daughter of Patrick and 
Elizabeth McCoy, who also were early settlers in Fa}'ette county. Their 
children were Patrick, Abraham, John, Sylvester, Elias, Mary J., Sarah J.,. 
Price, Ann (McCartney) and Rebecca (Drais). To the subject's parents 
were born two children besides himself, Esker, deceased, and Addie, the 
wife of Thomas M. Hare, of Baltimore, Maryland. 

James D. Post has spent his entire life in Fayette county and his boy- 
hood days were spent on his father's farm, where he not only gained a sound 
body, but also l^ecame imbued with those sterling principles of industry, per- 
severance and independence which have l)een marked characteristics of his- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 7I I 

later life. His early educational training A\as received in the district schools, 
which was supplemented by a course in the National Normal University, at 
Lebanon, Ohio. During the following five years Air. Post was engaged in 
teaching school, and during this period he earnestly gave his attention to the 
study of law. the practice of which profession he had determined to make his 
life work. In 18:87 he \\as examined and admitted to the Imr and at once 
came to \Vasl-iington C. H. and "hung out his shingle." That he has been 
eminently successful in his chosen calling is a matter of local history, for 
Mr. Post has for many years been numbered among the leaders of the 
Fayette county bar, Ijeing connected with much of the important litigation 
in the local courts and being frec[uently employed in the courts of neighbor- 
ing counties. As a member of the bar he has ever faithfully and honorably 
discharged his dut\-, and has always maintained the respect that is due to 
courts of justice. He has always counseled and maintained such actions 
and defenses only as appeared to him to be just and has adhered so closelv 
to the professional code of ethics that he l:as merited the confidence which 
has universally been placed in him. 

Politically, a life-long supporter of the Democratic party, Air. Post has 
for many years stood high in the councils of his party, wnelding a large in- 
fluence and being numbered among the party's leaders in. this section of the 
state. In recognition of his ability, he was, in 19 10, nominated and elected 
to represent this congressional district, the seventh, in the national legisla- 
tive body. No member of Congress entered upon his labors there with a 
more sir.cere devotion to his constituents' interests than did Mr. Post, and 
that they appreciated and recognized his efforts was evidenced by his re- 
election to Congress in the fall of 19 12. Pie is a close student of public 
questions affecting the financial, economic, educational and moral interests 
of the country and he has invariably been found on the right side of these 
great questions. 

Religiously, Mr. Post and his wife ,are earnest members of the Presby- 
terian church., to which they contribute liberally. Fraternally, Mr. Post is a 
member of Sample Lodge No. 227. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
of the Bene\olent and Protective Order of Elks. 

In 1885 Jam.es D. Post was married to Mrs. Alary J. Snider, a native 
of Ohio, and the daughter of J. J. and Catharine (Creamer) W^orthington, 
also natives of the Buckeye state. These parents had three children, David 
I., Lee and Alary J. To Air. and Airs. Post has been born one son, Claude 
L., who is an attorney in Columbus, Ohio, and who married Lois fones. 



712 FAYETTE COUNTY^ OHIO. 

By her first marriage Mrs. Post is the mother of a daughter, Efiie, the wife 
of T. E. Leland. 

Mr. Post has always been an active supporter of all local movements 
tending to the upbuilding of the community, and is a stockholder and 
director of the Milledgeville Bank. Though very busy in the practice of his 
profession and in discharging his official duties at Washington, D. C, Mr. 
Post does not evade his ordinary duties as a citizen and, because of his life 
and attainments, he deserves representation in the annals of his county. 



ALEXANDER DAWSON. 

Although a resident of this county but a short time. Alexander Dawson 
has been here long enough to let his neighbors judge of his character and 
worth as a citizen. Born and reared in Ross county, this state, in 1888, he 
came to this county and in 191 3 moved to his present place in Marion town- 
ship, on a farm of fifty acres on the Circleville pike eight miles from Wash- 
ington C. H. He comes from an old and highly esteemed pioneer family and 
has inherited those excellent qualities which made his forefathers prominent 
citizens of the various communities in which they resided. He is a man of 
clean and wholesome life and interested in everything which pertains to the 
general welfare of his locality, thereby well meriting the high esteem in which 
he is held. 

Alexander Dawson, the son of Dillie and Rebecca (Baughman) Daw- 
son, was born November 17, 1849, in Ross county, Ohio, near Clarksburg. 
Dillie Dawson was the son of John and Catherine Dawson, natives of Lan- 
caster county, Pennsylvania, and early settlers in Ross county, Ohio. Dillie 
Dawson was bound out when a small boy, owing to the death of his father, 
and was essentially a self-made man in every particular. He grew to man- 
hood in Ross county, married and reared a family of seven children, Marion, 
Sarah Jane, Alexander, Dillie, Owen, Jasper and one who died in infancy. 
Of these children, Alexander, Owen and Jasper are still living. 

Alexander Dawson was educated in the schools of Clarksburg, Ohio, 
and earlv in life went to work on the farm. He Hved in Ross county until 
1888, when he came to Fayette county, where he is now living. He is a self- 
made man, having started in life with nothing and has attained his present 
standing solely through his own unaided efforts. 

Mr. Dawson was married on November 21, 1872, to Emma Shockley, 




MR. AND MRS. ALEXANDER DAWSON 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 713 

the daughter of WilHam and Martha (Dennis) Shockley, and to this union 
eight children have been born, Clarke. Harry, Owen, WilHam, Mary, Lillie, 
Clara and Nettie. Clarke married Edna Hoskins, and has two children, 
Opal and Forrest ; Harry is deceased ; William married Ida Mattson and has 
two children, Virgil and Mabel; Mary became the wife of G. W. Rogers; 
Lillie is the wife of Guy Brown and has two children, Frank and Paul, de- 
ceased ; Clara is the wife of James Hunter, and has four children. Vera, 
Robert, Ruth and Ethel V.; Nettie married Lawrence Losey and has two 
children, Dorothy and Paul. 

Politically, Mr. Dawson has been a life-long Democrat and has always 
taken a deep interest in local political matters. After coming to Fayette 
county, he served as township trustee and was road supervisor while living 
in Pickaway county, filling the latter position for twelve years. Mr. Daw- 
son is a man of pleasing personality, and has won many friends since be- 
coming a resident of this township and county. 



WILLL\M H. SHELEY. 



It is an excellent thing to be born to great wealth, but it is a more ex- 
cellent ^hing to be born to a good name. AVhen ancestors through many 
generations have lived useful lives and made a splendid name for themselves 
by de\-otion to duty and honor, it is one of the brightest inheritances which 
can be left to descendants. And so the families who had representatives in 
the Revolution or in the service of the country many years ago, boast of 
such service and found organizations of the descendants, with the record of 
the fathers as the foundation stone. Descendants of families which came to 
the wilderness of Ohio and carved refined and Christian homes from the 
primeval wilds may well boast of the deeds of their fathers and mothers 
who conquered the woods and made the soil blossom with the flowers of in- 
dustry and peace. And for this great service, so long since unselfishlv ren- 
dered, their children of today may well rise up and call them blessed. Such 
has been the inheritance of the subject of this brief sketch. 

William H. Sheley, farmer and stock raiser, residing on his one-hundred- 
and-sixty-acre farm, located about four miles from ^^'ashington C. H., on 
the Bloomingburg road, first saw the light of day on January 12, 1849, in 
Greene county. Ohio, near Jamestown. It was at that point that the earliest 
of the family settled when they came to this state in 1802 and took up gov- 



714 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

ernment land, carving' ont of the wilderness the home which was a family 
possession for so many years. jMr. Sheley is a son of T. L. and wSarah 
( Phillips) Sheley, who in their day and generation were among the most 
prominent citizens of Green.e county. They were refined and kindly people 
whose nsefnr lives shed a beneficent influence over the entire community 
where they passed their lixes and in that same neighborliood they were laid to 
rest when death called them from their activities here below. Air. Sheley 's 
paternal grandparents were Michael and Louisa (Strong) Sheley, the former 
of whom was born near Winchester, Virginia, and was a son of John and 
Anna (Bealler) Sheley. John was a native of Gern^any, who came to this 
country in his young manhood and the Bealler family were emigrants from 
Ireland, locating in Virginia early in its history. John had become a nat- 
uralized American before the outbreak oi the War of the Revolution and 
during that conflict was for seven years in the famous Virginia Continentals. 

Air. Sheley was one of a family of seven children, the second in order 
of birth, and when a boy attended the common schools of the l^ome locality 
and in his spare time assisted with the work of the home farm. He re- 
mained under the jiarental roof until he attained his majority, \vhen he 
started out in life for himself. His first venture was the renting of a tract 
of land. lie first came to this county in 1890, when he purchased a farm and 
perman.entlv located here. However, he later disposed of his original hold- 
ings and purchased his present location from the Hays estate. 'He devotes 
his energies to general farming and the raising of live stock. 

On December 12. 1872, Mr. Sheley was united in marriage with Alartha 
Tressler. born on March 13. 1850. in Greene county, a daughter of Peter and 
Catlierine ( Smith) Tressler. F'eter Tressler was a life-long farmer and a son 
of John and Sarah (Inidge) Tressler. John was a native of Virginia and 
was one of the earlv settlers of Greene county, where he was prominent in 
everything that made for the public good. Mr. and Mrs. Sheley are the 
parents of three children, the oldest of whom, Thurman, married Lula Alin- 
ton and is the father of three children: Doris, Pari and Zelma. He resides 
on the farm. Clarence, the second son, lives at home, while Kathreen, the 
daughter of the family, is the wife of Irwin West and lives at Jeffersonville. 

Mr. Sheley is an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Prot- 
estant church, while politically, he gives his support to the Democratic party. 
He is regarded as one of the leading men of that party in this locality. He 
has been a trustee for the Children's Home for the past fourteen years. Air. 
Sheley is one who has not only succeeded along material lines, but has won 
for himself something Ijetter than possessions in the honor and respect ac- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 71 5 

corded him by his fe]lo^,vlnen and tlicir triljute to his usefuhiess as' a citizen. 
He began his business career low on the ladder of success, but to his under- 
taking he applied himself with courage, industry and perse\erance and has 
attained a commensurate degree of success. 



SCOTT BEATTY. 



One of the largest farmers and stock raisers of Fayette county, Ohio, 
is Scott Beatty, who is the ow^ier of about eight hundred acres of land in 
Fa^-ette and I^ickaway counties, Ohio. The first members of this family 
came to Fayette county about 1818 and settled on land south of Samuel Dew. 
Mr. Beatty has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and is known as one 
of the largest cattle raisers of Fayette county, having made a specialty of this 
particular phase of stock raising. ' He is a man of marked business ability 
and good judgment and has always so conducted his affairs as to win the 
high esteem of his fellow citizens, while at the same time adding to his 
material possessions. 

Scott Beatty, the son of Isaac Newton and Margaret (Hidy) Beatty, 
was born September g, 1850, in Marion township, Fayette county. Ohio, 
and moved to Pickaway county in 1868, and moved back to Madison town- 
ship in 1908. His father was born in Clarion township, the son of James 
and Rel>ecca (Gibson) Beatty. James Beatty came from Hampshire county, 
Virginia, in 1818, and located in Marion township, wdiere he and his wife 
reared a family of five children: Isaac Newton. Milton, James G., Samuel 
and Marv. The parents of Margaret Hidy Beatty came from Pendleton 
county, West Virginia, about 1800 and located in Fayette county, Ohio. 

Scott Beatty. received his elementar}' education .in the district, schools, 
afterward attending the National Normal University at Lebanon. Ohio. 
After graduating from this excellent institution he returned to the farm 
and has since devoted his life to the various phases of agriculture. At the 
age of twenty-one he began farming for himself and by good management 
and keen foresight has so managed his affairs as to accumulate an estate of 
eight hundred acres, being one of the largest land ov/ners of the county. 

Mr. Beatty was married June 28. 1874, to Mary Decker, the daughter 
of A. S. and Catherine (Timmons) Decker. Mr. Beatty was born in Water- 
loo. Ohio, her father having located in that city immediately after coming- 
to this countrv from Switzerland, where he was born. A. S. Decker was a 



71 6 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

harness maker by trade, and he and his wife were the parents of two chil- 
dren: Mary, the wnfe of Mr. Beatty, and Wesley. Mr. Beatty and his wife 
have one daughter, Margaret A., the wife of William Strope. Mr. and Mrs. 
Strope are the parents of three daughters : May, Hazel and Fern. 

William Strope was born November 5, 1874. at Manara. Ohio, the son 
of Lafayette and Essie (Brown) Strope. Lafayette Strope came from 
Compton Creek. Ohio, and was the son of William Strope, a native of Vir- 
ginia. Lafayette Strope and wife had a family of six children: Charles, 
Nancy, Clara, Mary, W^illiam and Mrs. Inez Tharp. After leaving school 
Mr. Strope learned the telegrapher's trade and was for several years an 
operator on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Orient, Ohio. He married 
Margaret A. Beatty on the 19th day of June. 1895. and since then has 
assisted his father-in-law on the farm. He is a Republican in politics and, 
fraternally, is a member of the Knights of Pythias. 

Mr. Beatty adheres to the principles and policies of the Republican 
party but has never been active in the political affairs of his towmship or 
county, his extensive agricultural interests demanding all of his time and 
attention. His wife died in 191 3 and since then he has been making his 
home with his daughter. Mrs. William Strope. Fraternally, Mr. Beatty is a 
member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias. 



J. W. HAIGLER. 



The Haigler family trace their ancestry back to the little mountainous 
republic of Switzerland. J. W. Llaigler, wdiose history is presented in this 
connection, is the fourth in direct line from the first member of the family 
to come to this country. The name of the first member of the family to 
settle in America has been lost, Imt it is known that he was married before 
coming to this country and that he settled in Pennsylvania and reared a 
large family of children who located in Hadry and Pendleton counties, 
Virginia, upon reaching manhood and marrying. One of the several chil- 
dren born to this first member of the family to come to Virginia was William, 
who is the great-grandfather of J. W. Haigler. William Haigler married 
Magdalena Whitzel and located in Virginia, where he reared a large family. 

A family of fourteen children were born to William Haigler and wife : 
Phoebe, the wife of Jesse Harper; John, who married Phoebe Skidmore; 
Anna, the wife of Eli Brand; Christina, the wife of Jonathan Nelson; Eliza- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 717 

beth, the wife of Jesse Biickbee ; Jacob, who married Christina Harper; 
Alary, the wife of Michael Carr ; Susan, the wife of George Miller; George, 
who married and had at least two sons, George and Zebdee ; Henry, who re- 
moved to Canada ; Jehu and Martin, concerning whom nothing is known ; 
William and Clara, who died in childhood. John Haigler, the second child, who 
became the grandfather of J. W. Haigler, lived for a time in West Virginia, 
and spent his declining years in Labette county, Kansas. John Haigler and 
wife were the parents of six children: Elijah, the father of J. W., whose 
career is set forth later on; Morgan, who married Elizabeth Armentrout ; 
James, who married Edith Speakman ; Rebecca, the wife of George H. Kyle; 
Levina, the wife of C. Smith, and Lucinda, the life of Jehu Judy. 

Elijah M. Haigler was born in Pendleton county. West Virginia, Sep- 
tember 26, 1826, and came to Fayette county, Ohio, when he was a voung- 
man of twenty-one. He only remained in Fayette county for a short time 
and then returned to West Virginia, and a year later returned to Fayette 
county and became interested in the raising of live stock. He was married 
in 1859 to Letitia Hays, and to this union were born five children: John 
W., Mrs. Julia Kennedy, Albert, Charles and Mrs. Jennie Todhunter. 

John W. Haigler, the oldest child of Elijah M. and Letitia (Hays) 
Haigler, was born on the farm where Albert Haigler is now living. May 28, 
1862. He went to school for a time in Fayette county and later went to 
V^irginia, where he attended school in Rockingham county and then com- 
pleted his education by attending college at Lebanon, Ohio. At the age of 
twenty-two he began farming for himself by renting land from his father. 
After renting a few years he bought his present farm of seventy-seven acres 
about twelve miles from the county seat. He is a stock raiser and keeps a 
high grade of stock on his farm at all times. 

Mr. Haigler was married on Christmas day, 1894. to Emma L. Heironi- 
mous, the daughter of Joshua G. and Phoebe (Hutchinson) Heironimous, 
and to this union have been born three children : Nellie Letitia, Candace 
Marie and Elijah Mori, deceased. Both of the daughters are graduates of 
the Jeffersonville high school. 

Politically, Mr. Haigler is identified with the Republican party and has 
alw^ays been more or less interested in local politics. He has been a member 
of the school board of his township, as well as township assessor, filling 
these positions in a satisfactory manner to his fellow citizens. He and his 
family are consistent and loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
in whose welfare they are greatly interested. Mr. Haigler is a trustee of his 
local detiominatian. 



71 8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

DR. FRANCIS MARION BLACK. 

The late Dr. Francis M. Black was a prominent citizen of Darbyville, 
Ohio, for many years and during his residence here in the county he took 
an actiye part in e\'ery phase of the deyelopment of Washington C. H. and 
Fayette count}'. He \yas a distinguished soldier of the Ciyil War and was 
al\va\'s interested in the welfare of the old soldiers. He was not a man of 
pretense and therefore did not pose as a perfect man. But he was a man of 
high ideals, and, like men of strength of character, his ideals were always 
aboye him. His ideals were not meager, but full, broad and telling — ideals 
of home, of social life, of business, of the sanctuary, of obligation and duty, 
of faith and religion. He was a man \yhose speech was sane, whose honor 
was unswerying, and whose word was pure gold. 

Dr. Francis M. Black, the son of \Villiam and Elizabeth Black, \yas 
born in Pickaway county, Ohio, October ly, 1827, and died in Washington 
C. H., Ohio, January 20, 1902. He was one of nine children, all of whom 
are now deceased wnth the exception of Captain Edward R., of Leistyille, 
Ohio. 

Doctor Black was educated in the public schools of his natiye county 
and receiyed his medical education under the tutelage of Doctor Hull, of 
Circleville, Ohio, to wliich he added a course of lectures in the medical 
school at Columbus. He began the practice of medicine at Williamsport, 
Ohio, in 1849, but the next year moyed to Darbyyille. Ohio, where he re- 
sided un.til 1883. In that year he remoyed to Washington C. FI., where he 
liyed the remainder of his life. While in Darbyyille he was in partnership 
with Doctor Allen for some years, after which he practiced alone. Upon 
settling in Washington C. H. he entered intcj partnership with Dr. C. A. 
Foster and they remained together for se\eral years. Doctor Black owned 
a fine farm near Darbyyille to which he ga\e his careful super\'ision. He 
sold this farm and inyested in I^ickawa}- county farm land and had nearly 
four hundred acres of \yell-impro\'ed land at the time of his death. He was 
interested in the business life of Washington C. H. and was president and a 
large stockholder of one of the largest banks in the city. \i the time of his 
death he was th.e oldest ph}'sician in the county although he had practically 
retired from acti\'e practice a few years before his death. 

Doctor Black Ayas married in October, 1853, to Alary Zinn Ambrose, a 
daughter of Elijah and Prudence (Sharp) Zinn. Plis widow is still Hying 
in this citv in tlie old homestead. There were no children born to this union. 

Doctor Black was a Scottish Rite Alason and had attained to the thirty- 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 719 

second degree and was also a member of the Alvstic Shrine. He was alwavs 
active in Alasonic affairs and was interred with full Masonic honors. Mrs. 
Black has been a life-long memljer of the Methodist chnrch and althongh 
Doctor Black was not a meml^er of the denomination, )et he was a regular 
attendant u])on its serxices. He lived a life of usefulness and honor in every 
respect and was truly one of the noblemen of earth. 

In the }-ear 1862 Doctor Black enlisted in Company -\, Ninetieth Regi- 
ment. Ohio Volunteer Tnfantr}-, and was elected captain of his company 
immediately after it was mustered into the service. His regiment was at- 
tached to the Fourteenth Army Corps and fought in many of the bloodiest 
engagements of the war. At the battle of Stone River his regiment suffered 
fearful losses, but he escaped without injury although many of his brave 
comrades fell to rise no more. The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public took a prominent part at the time of the funeral ser^'ices. 

Thus briefly is told the story of the life of a good citizen. He came to 
the end of life's journey with no regrets on account of a wasted life. The 
trail he has left in this world he has found in that better world where he is 
now marching with those who ha^■e kept the faith and fought the fight wliich 
ends in eternal happiness. 



TESSE WELTON. 



The history of every man is an account of what he does, and the history 
of such a man as Jesse W'elton, a large land owner of Jefferson township, is 
interesting in view of the fact that he started in at the foot of the ladder and 
by his own energy and determination has accumulated a farm of more than 
five hundred acres. He is strictly a self-made man who has achieved his suc- 
cess because of his sterling- personal qualities, and being a man of high ideals 
and correct princi])les of life, he is well deserving of the high esteem in 
which he is inii\-ersally held throughout the county. 

Jesse W'elton, th.e son of Solomon and Mary (Clarke) \\'elton, was 
born Alarch \-/, 1851, in Petersburg, Virginia. Solomon W'elton and wife 
were born in Hardy county. West V^irginia. and never left the countv of their 
nati\ity. he dying in iS'62, and the wife and mother many vears later. Both 
are buried in the cemetery at Petersburg, West Virginia. Three children 
were born to Solomon AVelton and wife : Aaron, Jesse, and Mary, the wife 
of B. J. Baker. 



720 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Jesse Welton rtceived his education in the schools of his native town 
and remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age. He then left 
his native state and came to Fayette county, Ohio, where he began working 
by the month. Being of a frugal turn of mind, he saved his money and when 
he had accumulated one thousand dollars, he began renting land in this 
county, and continued farming in this way for seven years, at wdiich time he 
married and purchased a farm in Jeft'erson township. Being compelled to 
exercise the closest economy in order to buy this farm it was but a natural 
thing for him to continue his frugal habits after beginning to farm for him- 
self on his own land. He invested his savings in land and kept on increasing 
his acreage until at the present time he is the owner of five hundred and ten 
acres of fine land in Jefferson township. He finds the most profitable part of 
his farming is in the raising of live stock, feeding a large numljer of cattle 
and hogs each year for the markets. 

Mr. Welton was married to Susan Barrett, the daughter of Isaac and 
Mary A. (Kiplinger) Barrett, natives of Virginia, and to this union has been 
born one son, Wilbur J., \\ ho is now farming with his father. 



MILLS GARDNER. 



The late Mills Gardner, of Washington, C. H., Ohio, w^as one of the dis- 
tinguished lawyers and educated men of his day and was a son of one of the 
honored families of Ohio. A man of high moral character and unimpeachable 
integrity, persistent industry and excellent professional judgment, he stood as 
a leader in his state for nearly half a century, in the largest and best sense 
of the term. Mr. Gardner was one of tlie notable men of his day and genera- 
tion and as such is entitled to a conspicuous place in the annals of his state. 
As a citizen he was public-spirited and enterprising to an unwonted degree. 
As a statesman he was the peer of any of his contemporaries. As a business 
man he exercised those qualities which distinguish men of industry ; and, as a 
friend and neighbor, he combined those cjualities of head and heart that won 
confidence and commanded respect. 

Hon. Mills Gardner, the son of Seth and Elma Sands (Barrere) Gard- 
ner, was born at Russell ville. Brown county, Ohio, January 30, 1830, and 
died at Washington C. H., Ohio, on the 20th day of February, 1910. His 
father was born in New York and his mother in Ohio. For most of their 
married life they lived in Russell ville, Ohio, where they reared their three 




'/if^'ts ^y?^^ AT^ 




'-^^ /-^^f^t^^^ 



/J^^/^^^^^^t.^^^ 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 721 

sons, George B., Mills and Thomas. Seth Gardner was a merchant in Rus- 
sell ville for many years and died there late in life. His widow, Elma S. 
Gardner, died in Washington C. H. at the age of eighty-five. Seth Gardner 
was a son of Benjamin and Lucy (Hawks) Gardner. Benjamin Gardner was 
born in Exeter, Washington county, Rhode Island, and served as a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War. The maternal grandfather of Mills Gardner was 
George \\ \ Barrere and his wife was Abigail Mills, both of whom were na- 
tives of Virginia. 

Mills Gardner received his early education in the common schools of 
New Market, Higiiland county, Ohio, and afterwards attended an academy 
taught by the Rev. John Rankin at Ripley, Ohio. He left school when he was 
fourteen years of age to enter a dry goods store as clerk. It was while he 
was working as a clerk in this store that he began the study of law under the 
supervision of his uncle, Hon. Nelson Barrere, of Hillsboro, Ohio. In 1854 
Mr. Gardner moved to Washington C. H., Ohio, where he lived until his 
death. He was admitted to the bar in 1855 and was engag"ed in the practice of 
his profession and in public service for the remainder of his days. 

Mr. Gardner was a life-long Republican and w^as a leader of his party for 
more than a quarter of a century. In 1855 he was elected prosecuting attor- 
ney of Fayette county and re-elected to the same position, serving four years. 
In 1862 he was elected to the State Senate and served two years in the Legis- 
lature. In 1864 Mr. Gardner was presidential elector from his congressional 
district and voted for Abraham Ivincoln. In 1866 he was elected to the House 
of Representatives in the State Legislature and served for one term. His 
next public service was as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1872, 
to wdiich he was elected by the voters in his district. The highest official 
position to which he attained was that of member of Congress, to wliich he 
was elected in the fall of 1876. He w^as a member of the forty-fifth CongTess 
from the third congressional district of Ohio, and in the same year was a 
member of the Repu])lican national convention, which nominated Rutherford 
B. Hayes for President. While in Congress, Mr. Gardner sat between the 
two mart}'red Presidents, James A. Garfield and William McKinley, and was 
a warm friend of both men. This position completed the official career of 
Mr. Gardner, which gave him distinction. 

As a lawyer Mr. Gardner had a large practice and as a pleader before 

the jury he had few equals in the state. He was interested in business 

affairs and was a stockholder in several financial institutions of his county. 

He was president of the Commercial Bank for several years. He built one 

(46) 



722 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



of the most beautiful residences in W^nshington C. H., where his two daugh- 
ters are still residing. 

Mr. Gardner was always an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal 
church and was one of the committee which built the present church at 
Washington C. H. This was the third church of this denomination and 
Mr. Gardner had helped to build the first two as well. He was a very 
liberal contributor to the church and was never happier than when engaged 
in some kind of religious work. He conducted a large men's class and a 
Bible school for several years and was regarded as a most efficient teacher. 

The domestic life of Mr. Gardner was very happy. He was married 
at the early age of twenty-one, in October. 1851. to Alargaret Ann Morrow, 
the daughter of John and Martha Morrow. There were nine children born 
to Mr. Gardner and his wife, all having died in childhood with the ex- 
ception of two daughters, Gertrude and Edith Hortense, both of whom are 
still living. Mrs. Gardner died October 20, 1898, and her husband survived 
her only a few years. The two daughters, Gertrude and Edith, took care of 
their father very tenderly after their mother's death. These two daughters 
are verv prominent members of society and interested in everything- pertain- 
ing to the advancement of the educational and religious welfare of their city. 
They were both active workers in the church and their influence is always 
used for the best things. 



WTLLLVM M. CA^fPBELL. 

A i)rominent business man of Washington C. H., Fayette county, 
Ohio, is William M. Campbell, vice-president of the Midland Grocery Com- 
pany of Ohio and general manager of the Dahl-Millikan branch at Washing- 
ton C. H. He has been a business man since his early manhood, his father 
having been a general merchant all his life, and, consequently, his early 
training was such as to influence him in favor of a Imsiness career. He has 
been living in Washington C. H. since 1897, where he has charge of the 
Dahl-Millikan branch of the Midland Grocery Company. 

William M. Campbell, the son of Thomas C. and Margaret L. (Brown) 
Campbell, was born in Bainbridge, Ross county, Ohio, February 28, 1871. 
His parents, who were natives of Ohio, reared a family of six children : 
William M., of Washington C. H. ; Joseph Porter, of Bainbridge: Frances 
C, of Bainbridge; T. Clifford, of Berlin, Germany; Winifred, the wife of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. ']2'^ 

Da\id H. Roche, Jr., of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Frank, who died in early 
childhood. 

Thomas C. Campbell was born in Aberdeen, Ohio, and reared in Cyn- 
thiana, Pike county, Ohio. He was a general merchant and for forty-five 
vears was a prominent merchant of Bainbridge, where he is now living a 
retired life. He has extensive farming- interests as well as mercantile in- 
terests in Ross county. Both he and his wife are members of the Alethodist 
Episcopal church. 

Thomas C. Campbell's father, William H. B. Campbell, of Aberdeen, 
Ohio, was a grandson of Evan Campbell, whose father was Alathew Camp- 
bell,* one of the founders of Cincinnati, Ohio. Alathew Campbell was a son 
of Colin Campbell, of the house of the Scottish Lords and the seventh son 
of the Duke of Argyle, Scotland. 

The paternal grandparents of William ]\I. Campbell, William H. B. and 
Nancy ( Shofstahl) Campbell, were early settlers in Brown county, Ohio. 
A\'illiam H. B. Campbell was the first man to start the Gretna Green for 
ferrying people across the Ohio river between Maysville, Kentuck}-, and Aber- 
deen, Ohio, and was a river boatman all his life. Thomas C. was the only 
child born to this union and was reared by an uncle and aunt, J. W. McCague. 
The maternal grandparents of William M. Campbell were Joseph P. and ^^lary 
(Perrill) Brown. Joseph P. Brown was merchant and farmer at Bainbridge, 
where he died at an advanced age. Mr. Brown and his wife reared a large 
family of children, Margaret L., John, Frances, Perrill F., Efiie and Elizabeth. 

William M. Campbell was reared in Bainbridge, Ohio, and graduated 
from the high school of Bainbridge in 1889. He then entered the Eastman 
Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and graduated from that ex- 
cellent institution in the spring of 1891. He then began clerking in his 
father's store at Bainbridge, Ohio, and later took charge of the store, re- 
maining at Bainbridge until after his marriage in 1897. In that year he came 
to W^ashington C. H. and took a position with the Dahl-Millikan Company 
in order to learn the grocery business. He went through all of the office 
positions and traveled on the road as a salesman for the company for a few 
years. He then returned to the home office in Washington C. H. and took 
charge of the buying, first of the notions, woodenware. etc., and later became 
the buyer for all of the departments of the store. He has been a director 
in the company e\'er since the organization of the Midland Company. He is 
now the vice-president of the ■Midland Grocery Company, controlling two 
stores, one at Columbus and the other at Washington C. H., known as the 
Dahl-Millikan branch. This company employs about forty salesmen on the 



724 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

road and is one of the largest wholesale grocery firms of the state. Mr. 
Campbell is essentially a self-made man and has worked his way up from 
a boy to his present position and is now one of the leading and eminently 
successful business men of Washington C. H. 

Mr. Campbell was married June 24, 1897, ^o Ethel Dahl, the daughter 
of George and Ruth (Bereman) Dahl. To this union one daughter, Vir- 
ginia, has been born. Mrs. Campbell was born in Washington C. H. and 
spent her whole life here. Her death occurred on December 27, 191 1. 

Mr. and Mrs. Campl^ell are stanch members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Campbell belongs to Bainbridge Lodge No. 196, Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons; Greenfield Chapter No. 133, Royal Arch Masons; Chilli- 
cothe Council, Royal and Select Masters, as well as Garfield Commandery No. 
28, Knights Templar, at Washington C. H. He is also a member of the 
Scioto Consistory, Columbus, Ohio, being a thirty-second-degree Mason. He 
also holds his membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at 
Washington C. H. He is a director of the Fayette Canning Company and 
is a stockholder in the Fayette County Bank. In addition to his other in- 
terests, he owns two hundred and fifty acres in Union township, in this 
county. Politically, he has always given his hearty support to the Republi- 
can party, but has never been a candidate for office. Mr. Campbell is 
recognized as a man of worth and stalMlity of character and enjoys the high- 
est esteem of his fellow citizens. 



FRANK C. PARRETT. 



The Parrett family was one of the first to locate in Fayette county, 
Ohio, and the various members of this family have been prominently identi- 
fied with the history of this county for nearly a century. Frank C. Parrett 
is a worthy representative of this family and a man of broad and liberal edu- 
cation, who is now de\oting himself to the supervision of extensive farming 
interests in Fayette and Greene counties. A graduate of the State University 
of Ohio, a newspaper man of several years" experience, he is now devoting 
himself to an agricultural career and is exhibiting marked ability in handling 
the large estate of his parents. 

Frank C. Parrett, the son of John S. and Alice (Coffman) Parrett, was 
born in Union township, Fayette county, Ohio, on the old Samuel Coffman 
homestead September 13, 1882. His parents, both of whom were also natives 
of Fayette county, had only one child, Frank C. John S. Parrett was reared 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 725 

on Sugar creek, Union township, this county, and his wife was born and 
reared in the same township. He was a life-long farmer and after his mar- 
riage lived for one year in Washington C. H., where he was engaged in the 
hardware business. He then returned to the old Samuel Coffman homestead, 
where his wife was born, and lived there until his death, April 22, 191 1. He 
was born in 1849 and spent his whole life in the county of his birth. His 
wife still survives him and lives on East Market street in Washington C. H. 
Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. John S. Parrett 
was a farmer and stock raiser and a successful man in every way. He was 
acti\'e and industrious and accumulated a T^rge estate. At one time he was a 
director in the Fayette County Bank and was also vice-president and a direc- 
tor in the Washington Savings Bank and Trust Company, having had a part 
in the organization of both banks. 

The paternal grandparents of Frank C. Parrett were Frederick A. and 
Elizabeth (Grove) Parrett, natives of Ohio and pioneer settlers in Fayette 
county. Frederick Parrett cleared and improved a farm in Union township 
and was a large farmer and stock raiser and well known throughout the 
county. He li\ed to an advanced age, while kis wife died a comparatively 
young woman. Frederick A. Parrett and wife were the parents of several 
children, P"rederick, John S., Noah S., Christopher, and two who died in in- 
fancy. After the death of his first wife he married again and three children 
were born to his second union. 

The maternal grandparents of Frank C. Parrett were Samuel and Nancy 
(Smith) Coffman, natives of Ohio and pioneer settlers in Fayette countv. 
They both died at an ad\-anced age after rearing a large family of children, 
]\Irs. Jane Grove, Mrs. Matilda Johnson, Mrs. Charity Sturgeon, Mrs. 
Armilda Lanum, Mrs. Nancy Dick, Mrs. Alice Parrett, Samuel E. and ^Irs. 
J\Iary Deinous. 

Frank C. Parrett was reared on his father's farm in Union towmship 
.and graduated from the high school at Washington C. FI. He then attended 
the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and later entered the Ohio State Uni- 
versity at Columbus, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1904 
with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was then engaged in newspaper 
work for about four years, doing both reportorial and editorial work on 
various Columbus newspapers and on the Toledo Blade. In 1908 he took 
•charge of a farm in Madison county, Ohio, where he remained for four years 
and after -his father's death, in 191 1, he returned to Washington C. H. and 
now looks after his father's and mother's lands in Fayette and Greene 
counties. 



726 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Mr. Parrett was married September 26, IQ07, to Katherine Eastman, 
the daiii^hter of Henry Neville and Lillian (Jones) Eastman. Mrs. Parrett 
was born in Columbus, Ohio, her father being a native of Zanesville and her 
mother of Columbus. 

Politically, Mr. Parrett is a stanch Repul)lican and has been one of the 
leaders of his party for many years in local affairs. On November 3, 19 14, 
he was elected to the General xA.ssembly of Ohio as representative from Fay- 
ette county, a fact which speaks highly of his standing in his county. Fra- 
ternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Columbus, Ohio, 
and also of the Royal Arch Alasons of the same place. 



GEORGE ALLEN. 



The late George Allen, the son of William and Sarah ( Hidy) Allen, 
was one of eight children born to his parents, the others being Irvin, Samuel. 
Adam, William, Aaron, Joel and Elizabeth J. 

George Allen was reared to manhood in his home count}' and received a 
good common school education. Ide remained with his parents until his 
marriage and then located in Jefferson township, in Fayette county. He 
bought a small farm and gradually added to it until at the time of his death 
he owned two hundred and fifty acres of land on the Jamestowai pike about 
two miles from Jeft'ersonville. He was a progressive farmer and took an 
active interest in the welfare of his community. Li addition to farming he 
operated a tile mill for about ten years in his township. He served in the 
Civil \\'ar as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regi- 
ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and upon the organization of the Grand Army 
of the Republic l^ecame a member of the post at Washington C. H. 

Mr. Allen was married December i, 1868, to Mary S. Williams, the 
daughter of Jesse and Margaret (Bodkin) Williams. Her father was born 
in Harrison county, West Virginia, and when a A-oung man came to Ohio 
and located in Fayette county. Se\en children were born to Jesse AA'illiams 
and wife, Jeremiah, Llenry M., Mary S., Thomas, John. Esther and Fannie. 
Jesse Williams w-as the son of Thomas and Esther (Young) Williams, 
natives and life-long residents of West Virginia. Thomas Williams and wife 
reared a family of five children, Elizabeth. Prudence. John, Eli and Jesse. 

Mr. Allen and wife reared a family of seven children. Lily. Adah, Ford. 
Raymond G., Roy, Clarence O. and Delia. Lily is the wife of Adam Jacks 
and has three children, Luella, Claude and ]\Iarie. Adah is the wife of 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 727 

Arthur Hidy and has three children, Florence. Francis and Earl. Ford H. 
married Jennie Edge. Raymond G. married Belle Perslinger and has two 
children, Mildred and George. Roy married Edith Connor, and Delia be- 
came the wife of James Rea. 



JOHN MORGAN BAKER. 

'Jdie manager of several large farms in Ohio is John Morgan Baker. 
who has the supervision of twelve hundred acres in this county. He is a man 
of excellent education and after leaving college became the bookkeeper in the 
Commercial Bank of Morris Sharp &- Company, of W^ashington C. H., where 
he remained for many years. He left the bank in order to look after the 
extensive farming interests of Morris Sharp, his uncle, and for the past ten 
years has been thus engaged. 

John Morgan Baker, the son of John and Susan (Sharp) Baker, was 
born in Jamestown, Greene county, Ohio, July 2, 1873. His parents, who 
were nati^•es of Kentucky and Aberdeen, Ohio, respectively, had three sons : 
Owen, a farmer living near Buena Vista, Ohio; John Morgan, of \\'ashing- 
ton C. H., and Warren, who died in infancy. 

John Baker was a druggist in his early manhood and later was em- 
ployed by the D. M. F^rry Seed Company, of Detroit, and remained with 
that company for fifteen years. He died in Columbus, Ohio, in igio, at the 
age of sixty-four. His wife died January 12. 1879, at the age of thirty- 
eight. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

The paternal grandparents of John M. Baker were natives of Kentucky 
and early settlers in Greene county, Ohio, where they died at an advanced 
age. Five children were born to the grandparents of Mr. Baker, Arvilla. 
Frank, Samuel T., John Hillary and W. Raper. The maternal grandparents 
of Mr. Baker were Morgan and Frances (Warren) Sharp, natives of Ken- 
tucky. Morgan Sharp was a river pilot for many years and later operated a 
general store at Jonestown, Ohio. Mr. Sharp and his wife both died at 
Washington C. H. He passed away in June, 1882, and his widow in ]\Iarch. 
1890. Three children were born to Morgan Sharp and wife, Morris, Susan 
and a son who died in early childhood. 

John Morgan Baker came to Washington C. H. when he was five years 
of age and has lived here ever since. After graduating from the Washington 
C. H. high school, he entered Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where 



728 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

he spent three years. He then became bookkeeper in the Commercial Bank 
of Morris Sharp & Company, of Washington C. H., and remained with them 
for fourteen years. Mr. Sharp died February 11, 1905, and since that time 
Mr. Baker has been looking after the extensive farming interests of his 
uncle. 

Mr. Baker was married January 6, 1898, to Ora Belle Harsha, the 
daughter of John P. and Anna (Wiley) Harsha. To this union two children 
have been born, Helen and Warren Harsha. 

Mrs. Baker was born in Springfield, Ohio, January 7, 1875. Her par- 
ents were natives of Ohio and have been residents of Washington C. H. since 
1893. ^^^ father is a monument dealer and a prominent citizen of the city. 
Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harsha, Ora Belle, Jessie 
Dea and Mary Edith. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Politically, he is a stanch Republican, but has never taken an active part in 
the political affairs of his county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benev- 
olent and Protective Order of Elks. 



ROBERT B. GREENLEE. 

A man long identified with the business in Bloomingl)urg, Ohio, is Robert 
B. Greenlee, who is now li\ing a retired life in that town. He was born 
April 29, 1846, in Alarion township, Fayette county, Ohio, the son of Samuel 
and Anna (Hess) Greenlee. His father came from Fayette county, Pennsyl- 
vania, and settled in Marion township in this county about 1836. His mother 
came from Hesse, Germany, and his mother's grandfather was in the Revolu- 
tionary War. Samuel Greenlee and wife were the parents of five children, 
Mrs. Mary Parrett. Caroline, Anna, Robert B. and Charles. 

Robert B. Greenlee was educated in the country schools and later finished 
in Bloomingburg Academy. He started to work for himself before reaching 
his majority and after his marriage became interested in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Bloomingburg-. He proved to be a very successful business man and 
retired several years ago from active business life, having laid by a very com- 
fortable competence for his declining years. 

Mr. Greenlee married Jane Holland and to this union three children have 
been born, two of whom are living, Pauline and Mary. Pauline is the wife 
of Howard Jefferson and has two daughters, Jane H. and Charlotte. Mary 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 729 

is a grackiate of the \\'ooster high school as well as her sister. Pauline. His 
daughters are memhers of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being 
entitled to this honor because their great-grandfather on their mother's side 
was a soldier in the Re\-olutionary War. 

Air. Greenlee is a member of the Presbyterian church, as are the other 
members of his family. Politically, he has long been identified with the 
Republican party but has never taken an active part in the councils of his 
party. He is a man of high character and has lived such a life in his com- 
munity as to merit the high esteem in which he is held. 



ROY HAGLER. 



An enumeration of the representative citizens of Favette county would 
be mcomplete ^vithout specific mention of the well-known and popular gen- 
tleman whose name introduces this sketch. A member of one of the old and 
highlv-esteemed families of this locality and himself a public-spirited man 
of affairs, he has stamped the impress of his individuality upon the commu- 
nity and added luster to the honorable name which he bears. ha\ing always 
been actuated by a spirit of fairness in his dealings with the world m general, 
and lea^•ing no stone unturned whereby he might benefit his own condition 
as well as that of his friends and the favored section of the great common- 
wealth in \\hicli he has Ix-en content to spend his life. Straightforward and 
unassuming, genial and obliging, Mr. Hagler enjoys the goodwill and respect 
of a wide circle of friends throughout this part of the state. 

Roy Hagler, farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson township. Fayette 
countv. Ohio, was born on .\ugust 17. 1870. on the old Hagler homestead 
where his father was born. He is the son of Jesse and Angeline (Rodgers) 
Hagler and was one of a family of three children, the other two being How- 
ard, the oldest son. and Gertrude, wife of V. R. AlcCoy. Jesse Hagler. 
father of the immediate subject, was born on October 22, 1823, beino- the 
son of Isaac and Susan ( Stuckey) Hagler, the former having come from his 
native home in Virginia and located in this county in 181 1. Throughout his 
life he followed the vocation of farming and was one of the pioneers of this 
section. He purchased the farm on Avhich his grandson, Roy, makes his 
home, comprising some three hundred and sixty acres, for six dollars and 
twenty-five cents per acre. Being a man of more than ordinary intelligence, 
he was one of the foremost men of his time in this community and left the 



730 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

impress of his indixiduality upon not only the material aspect of this then 
new section, hut upon its moral and educational life as well. lie and his 
faithful wife lie buried upon the homestead where they spent so many active 
years of life. After the death of Isaac Hagler, Jesse, the son, took over the 
management of the home place and tliere passed his entire life, his death 
occurring on Februar)' 12, 19CO. He, too, was a man of prominence in the 
community and well filled his place in life. He recei\'ed his education in the 
schools of Jefferson township and was a man of broad ideas and generous 
impulses. His three children recei\ed excellent educations in addition to 
careful home training, thus well iitting them for their places in life. Pie was 
highly respected by a large circle of friends and his death was a distinct 
shock to the community in wdiich his entire life had been passed. 

In his youth Roy Hagler attended the schools of the community, princi- 
pally the Creamer school, an educational landmark of this section, which 
education was supplemented by a course at the Ohio State University. His 
brother also attended the university, while the sister w^as sent to the Gran- 
ville school. From th.e time he was a young boy he took an interest in the 
affairs of the home farm and during the spare time, while attending school, 
he was receiving from his father careful instruction in the secrets of suc- 
cessful husbandry. Hie family life of Mr. Hagler was ideal, all working 
together for the common good and not until the father's death was the land 
divided. The Hagler farm is located on the Jamestown road, about five 
miles northwest of Washington C. H., the residence being one of the finest in' 
the countv. it contains nine rooms and is ciinstructed of iron clay brick. Its 
location is ideal, being set l)ack oft' the main road and surrounded by at- 
tractive shrul)bery and trees. Air. Hagler is quite successful in raising the 
crops best adapted to this section and has an enviable reputation as a raiser 
of good cattle and horses. He prefers the Angus breed of cattle and his 
horses are the Belgian variety, his stables producing many fine specimens. 

Mr. Hagler chose as his Axife Flora Robinson, daughter of George F. 
and Lavina (Bramble) Robinson, to whom he was united in marriage on 
November 30, 1898. They are the parents of four children, namely: Ruth, 
Jesse, Mary and Alfred, all of wliom are attending school and all of whom 
are worthy representatives of this honorable family. The fanfily ha\ing 
remained in this county since early pioneer times, many incidents of family 
history are identified with well known county landmarks. Flagler Station, 
on the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton railroad, receives its name from the family. 

Mr. Hagler is deeply interested in any movement having as its object 
the advancement of any community interest, l>eing regarded as one of the best 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 73 I 

citizens of this sectiijii. The entire family is well liked and respected hy a 
large circle of friends, and having been fonnd faithful to every trust of life, 
l\\r. Hagler is well deserving the high esteem in which he is held by all who 
know him. 



MATTHEW GILAIERR. 



Enumerated among the progressive farmers of Wayne township, Fay- 
ette county, Ohio, is Matthew Gilmerr. who has a farm of two hundred acres 
on the New Holland and Good Hope pike, about nine miles southeast of 
Washington C. H. He has been a resident of this county practically all of 
his life, having come here with his parents in his boyhood days. He comes 
from a splendid family, one chat always stood for right living and industrious 
habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare 
of the commonwealth. Tlis whole life has been characterized by industry, 
perseverance, temperance and integrity, and he has worked himself from an 
humble station to a successful place in life, attaining an honorable position 
among the well-known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he 
resides. 

Matthew Gilmerr, the son of Martin and Sarah (Bybee) Gilmerr, was 
born July 27, 1858, in Ross county, Ohio. Martin Gilmerr was a native of 
Hardy county, Virginia, and located in Ross county when he first came to 
Ohio, and later settled in Fayette county. Martin Gilmerr was the son of 
Matthew and Elizabeth ( Shobe) Gilmerr, and had a family of ten children, 
Emilv J., Elizabeth, Le^'i, Matthew, Nettie, Clara, Anna, Henry E. and two 
who died in infancy. 

Matthew Gilmerr received his education in the public schools of Ross 
and Fayette counties, working on the farm during the time he was not at- 
tending school. Upon his marriage, in 1888, he bought out the other heirs 
to the paternal estate, and has lived there for the past thirty-five years. He 
is a practical and systematic farmer, giving his personal attention to every 
detail of the farm work, and in the raising of crops and live stock he has 
been highlv remunerated for his efforts. His life has been one of unceasing 
industry and perseverance and the notably systematic and honorable methods 
he has followed have won for him the confidence and regard of all who have 
formed his accjuaintance. 

Mr. Gilmerr has been twice married, his first marriage being to Elizabeth 
Ater, daughter of Abraham Ater, and to this first marriage were born two 



732 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

children, Bessie, who married Jesse White, and has one daughter, Edith 
Annabel, and Mathew. Jr.. deceased. After the death of his first wife, in 
1897, he married, in 1901. iNIrs. Mary Bryan, the widow of Darius Bryan, 
and to the second union no children were born. 

Fraternall^^ Mr. Gilmerr is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons 
and also holds his membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Gil- 
merr is enjoying- life on his farm, realizing, as the public at large are realizing 
more than ever before, that the farmer today is to be envied above all other 
men. He has worked his way from the foot of the ladder, a fact which 
renders him the more worthy of the praise that is duly accorded him by his 
fellow men. 



TESSE HAGLER. 



Nearly a century ago the first members of the Hagler family settled in 
Fayette county, Ohio, and since that time the family has been prominent in 
all the activities connected with the growth and development of the county. 
In the summer of 1814 there came to Ross county, Ohio, Isaac Hagler and 
Susan Stookey with th.eir respective families, and in that same year this 
young couple were married and the }'ear following located in Fayette county. 
They started life under pioneer conditions, built a rude log cabin and started 
to clear the virgin forests and make a home for themselves in this new 
county. The Hagler and Stookey families came from Hardy county, Vir- 
ginia, and were among the first to locate in Ross county, Ohio. There were 
nine children came to bless the union of Isaac and Susan (Stookey) Hagler: 
Mrs. Lottie Hankins, born in 1817; Mrs. Kate Millikan, born in 1818; Mrs. 
Matilda McLean, born 1822; Mrs. Susan Browning, born 1830; xVlbert, born 
1826; Felix, l)urn 1827, and Jesse, l)orn 1823. Upon coming to this county, 
Isaac Hagler located seven miles northwest of Washington C. IL, where he 
lived until his death. July 10, 1830. 

The late Jesse Flagler, the fifth child of Isaac Hagler and wife, was 
born October 22, 1823, and died February 12, 1900. Fie was born on the 
Hagler homestead in Jefferson township and lived on the same farm all his 
life. He received a very limited education, since the schools of his boyhood 
days offered very few advantages. From his earliest boyhood he worked 
upon the farm, and after his father's death, he and one of his brothers bought 
out the interests of the other children in the home farm and operated the old 
Jiome place in partnership. As he prospered from year to year he added to 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 733- 

his holding's until at the time of his death he was the owner of ten hundred 
and sixty acres in Jefferson township. 

Mr. Hagler was married May i, 1864, to Angeline Rogers, the daugh- 
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Rogers, early pioneers of this county. Mrs. 
Hagler was born June 25, 1840, and died Septeml)er 2^, 1874, leaving her 
husband with three children : Howard, Gertrude and Roy. Howard is now 
farming two hundred and seventy-three acres of the old homestead ; Gertrude 
is the wife of V. R. McCoy, and Roy, whose history is presented elsewhere 
in this volume, is also on the old Hagler homestead. 



JOHN E. HOPKINS. 

A substantial farmer and stock raiser of Madison township, Fayette 
countv, Ohio, is John E. Hopkins, who was born June 25, 1862. near Linden, 
Ross county, Ohio. He was the son of Levi and Rachel (Kintz) Hopkins, 
natives of Ross county, Ohio. Levi Hopkins was the son of Matthew and 

(Harper) Hopkins, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of 

Ross county. Levi Hopkins came to Fayette county and settled one mile east 
of Madison Mills, where he and his wife reared a family of five children, 
Selah, Ella, John E., J. W. and H. L. Of these five children, Selah and H. L. 
are deceased. 

John E. Flopkins was educated in the schools of his home township and 
later attended the high school at Washington C. H. and the Normal Uni- 
versity at Lebanon, Ohio. He then taught school for a few years during the 
winter months and worked on his father's farm during the summers. At the 
age of twenty-four he began renting land and has been farming since. A few 
years after his marriage he bought his present farm of two hundred and fifty 
acres one mile west of Madison Mills on the White Oak pike and now has one 
of the finest farms in his township. 

Mr. Hopkins was married in 1883 to Sarah Jane Taylor, the daughter of 
Phillip and Sarah ( Bennett) Taylor, and to this union three children were 
born, Clem, Morris B. and Ruth Ann. Clem married Eliza Cook and has 
two children, Frank E. and Margaret. 

Politically, Mr. Hopkins is a stanch Republican, but has never been an 
applicant for any public ofiice. Fraternally, he holds his membership with the 
Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. 



734 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

GEORGE N. GLICKNER. 

One of the substantial and wide-awake citizens of Perry township is 
George N. Glickner, wdio is now serving as trustee of his township. He has 
been very largely dependent upon his own resources and has attained no 
insignificant success, thouoh he. like most men of atYairs, has encountered 
obstacles and met with reverses. He is a man of splendid personality and 
because of his industrious habits and persistent energy has attained definite 
success along agricultural lines and enjoys the respect and esteem of the 
community in which he has lived for so many years. He is one whose in- 
tegrity and strength of character have commended him to everyone with 
whom he has lieen associated. That he is regarded as a man of ability is 
evidenced by his election to the 'responsible position of township trustee. 

George N. Glickner. the son of Jacob and Xancy Glickner, was born in 
Fayette county, Ohio, in 1859. His father was born in Germany and when 
a young man came to America and first located in Brown county, Ohio. He 
came to this country alone, his parents and the remainder of his family 
remaining in tlieir native land. After remaining in Brown county for a 
short time, Jacob Glickner went to Hillslioro, in Highland county, Ohio, and 
while working there was married and mo\ed on a farm in that county. 
Jacob Glickner lived in Scioto county for a while and later moved to Fayette 
county, where he lived the remaining years of his life. Eight children were 
born to Jacob Glickner and wife, David, Mary E., George M., Mahala, John, 
Joseph, Mrs. Jane McDonald and Mrs. Sarah Speigel. 

George X. Glickner received his education in Scioto and Highland 
counties, and attended the Buena Vista schools in the former county and 
finished his education in the district scliools of Highland county. After com- 
pleting his education he worked on his father's farm until his marriage. 
He later came to Favette county and purchased his present farm of one hun- 
dred and forty acres in Perry township about one mile from Xew Alartins- 
burg. He has l)een a successful farmer, di\'iding his attention between the 
raising of grain and produce and the breeding of li\'e stock, with the result 
that he has a very comfortable income. 

Mr. Glickner married Maggie Larrie, the daughter of John and Ellen 
Larrie, and to this union have been born four children, William, Fred, John 
and May. William married Ida Dowler and has one son, Chester; Fred 
married Olive Johnson and has two children, Loran and Herbert ; John is 
living in Highland county; May is still residing with her parents. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



735 



Politically, Mr. Glickner is a Democrat and has always been interested 
in political matters. He has been regarded as one of the leaders of his party 
in the township for many years and, being a man of good business ability, 
was nominated by his party for the office of township trustee. He was 
subsequently elected to this important position and is administering the duties 
of this office in such a way as to give universal satisfaction to his fellow 
citizens. Mr. Glickner is a whole-souled, genial and kindly man who is 
interested in every mo\ement which he thinks will benefit his community. 
His life has been singularly free from anything which might bring upon him 
the censure of his neighbors and therefore he is \vell deserving of a place 
in the history of his county. 



THADDEUS T. TURNER. 

A highly respected citizen of ^Marion township, Fayette county, Ohio, is 
Thaddeus T. Turner, who is an enterprising farmer, owning one hundred 
and seven acres of fine farming land on the Turner road, nine miles from 
Washington C. H. He comes from an excellent family, his father having 
been a lawyer, teacher and farmer, while he himself followed teaching for 
several years. As a matter of fact, public school work has interested the 
various members of this family for at least three generations. Not only was 
the father of Mr. Turner a teaclier, but Mr. Turner's children are also school 
teachers. 

Thaddeus T. Turner, the son of James W. and Sarah (Evans) Turner, 
was ]:)orn October 13, 1846, near Ringgold, Ohio. His father was a native of 
Loudoun county, Virginia, and was the son of Lewis and Uriah (McKnight) 
Turner. Lewis Turner came to Morgan county, Ohio, from his native state 
with his parents when he was ele^•en years of age. Lewis Turner was the 
son of Jolm Turner, a native of Wales, and an early settler in \^irginia. 
Lewis Turner was a soldier of the War of 181 2. James Turner and \vife 
reared a family of eleven children, Alonzo J., Theresa, Thaddeus T., Clar- 
ence F., Tell A., Marion B., Elora E., Sarah, Elmer, Theodore and ALary. 
Of these children Thaddeus T., Tell A., Marion B., Elora E. and Mary are 
li\'ing, while the others are deceased. 

Thaddeus T. Turner went to school to his own father, who was a public 
school teacher in the district schools of Morgan county, Ohio. His father 
was an excellent teacher and also practiced law. By the time he was old 



736 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

enough to teach school, Mr. Turner had no ditficulty in securing a teacher's 
license, and then taught school in Morgan county until he was twenty-six 
years of age. In 1872 Mr. Turner came to Fayette county, Ohio, and taught 
school in various parts of the county, at one time being a teacher in the high 
school. 

Mr. Turner was married in 1880 to Sarah Dick, the daughter of Charles 
and Jane ( Hankins) Dick, of Pickaway county, Ohio. To this union three 
children have been l^orn, Florence, Clara and Orville. Florence married W. 
Boyer, and has two children, Walter and Wendell, and lives at Good Hope. 
Ohio. Clara and Orville are still at home and are public school teachers in 
Fayette county. 

The Republican party has claimed the hearty support of Mr. Turner 
and he has taken an active part in his township and county in political affairs. 
It is but natural that he should be interested in educational matters, and as 
president of the school board of his township he has done efficient service 
for the educational interests of his communitv. 



THOMAS A. JENKINS. 



A distinguished veteran of the Ci\'il War and a prominent citizen of 
Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Thomas A. Jenkins, who is now 
living on the farm where he was born more than seventy years ago. He en- 
listed for service in the Union army in the Civil War when he was eighteen 
years of age and served with gallantry during the remainder of that terrible 
struggle. For more than hfty years he has taken a prominent part in every 
phase of his community life, and is one of the most highly respected citizens- 
of the localit}' where he has spent all of his life. 

Thomas .V. Jenkins, the son of Robert and ^lary (Iron) Jenkins, was 
born in Januarv, 1844, in a log cabin on the farm \\here he is now li\ing. 
He was one of four children born to his i)arents. the others being Mrs. Esther 
Stoughton, S. W., Mrs. Mary F. bVench. Thomas Jenkins was the son of 
Jacob Jenkins, a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia. W^hen he was a 
young man Jacob Jenkins came to Fayette county, Ohio, where he was 
drafted for service in the War of iS'12. but the war closed and he did not 
have a chance to serve. He and his wife were the parents of six children, 
Hiram, John, Jacob, Mrs. Catherine Corbett, Willis and Elizabeth. 

Thomas Jenkins attended the schools of his day and worked upon his 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 737 

father's farm until he was eighteen years of age. He then enlisted on 
August 8, 1862, as a member of Company C, Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland 
and participated in many of the bloodiest battles of the war, among them 
being the following : Stone River, Chickamauga, Dalton, Peach Tree Creek, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Burnt Hickory and Jonesboro. He was wounded in one 
battle and for some time was laid up in a hospital, but finally recovered and 
rejoined his regiment before the close of the war. He has always taken a 
great interest in the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Washington C. H. 
and been active in everything pertaining to the welfare of the old soldiers. 

Mr. Jenkins was never married. Politically, he is a stanch Republican 
and has been active in local political matters. He has served as road super- 
visor of his township, and also as school director. Mr. Jenkins is the owner 
of a fine farm of one hundred and forty-eight acres on the Jeffersonville and 
Washington C. H. pike, where he has spent the last fifty years. He is still 
enjoying good health and is highly regarded by everyone who knows him. 



JAMES W. FITCHTHORN. 

A distinguished veteran of the Civil War and a substantial farmer of 
Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio, is James W. Fitchthorn, who has 
lived his entire life in the township where he is now residing. He is a son of 
Louis and Anna (Hage) Fitchthorn. Louis Fitchthorn was the son of Phillip 
and Magdalene (Harpoe) Fitchthorn, and was born in Franklin county, Vir- 
ginia, in 1808. Phillip Fitchthorn was in the War of 1812 and settled in 
Fayette county some years before his death. Louis Fitchthorn came to Fay- 
ette county, Ohio, from Virginia when he was twenty-one years of age, 
although he had previously stopped for a short time in Ross county, Ohio. 

James W. Fitchthorn was educated in a rude log school house in his 
home neighborhood, and worked upon the home farm until he was nineteen 
years of age. He then enlisted in the Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry and served for the Union until the close of the war. He has taken 
an active interest in the Grand Army of the Republic Post, and is now the 
commander of the post at Millersville, the S. M. Yoeman Post. 

Mr. Fitchthorn was married December 13, 1866, to Sarah Shafer, and 
to this union three children have been born, Clara, Elsie A. and Samuel. 
(47) 



7^8 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 



/O 



Fraternally, AJr. Fitchthorn is a member of the Free and Accepted 
Masons. He has long been identified with the Republican party in politics 
and has served for more than forty years as trustee of his township. It is 
possible that this record has never been ecjualled in the township, and is cer- 
tainly a tribute to his efficiency as a public servant. No one in the community 
stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than Mr. Fitchthorn, and his 
everyday life has been such as to merit the universal esteem in which he is 
held. 



JAMES RILEY VANNORSDALL. 

One of the most extensive farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, is James 
Riley Vannorsdall, who was born more than eighty-three years ago in the 
township where he is now living. In fact, his whole career has been spent 
in the same locality and this long residence has endeared him to everyone in 
the township. As a farmer he has met with remarkable success ; as a public- 
spirited citizen he has done his full duty; as a neighbor he has fully measured 
up to the highest standard. Such men lend stability to the community in 
which they live, and it is a pleasure to record the life of this sterling pioneer 
in the biographical annals of his county. 

James R. Vannorsdall, the son of Garrett and Rosannah (Gray) Van- 
norsdall, was born in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, September lo, 
183 1. His father was the son of Abraham and Abigail (Johnson) Vannors- 
dall, natives and life-long residents of Virginia. Garrett Vannorsdall came 
from Berkeley county, Virginia, when a young man and located in Fayette 
county in Jefferson township. Fie and his wife were the parents of two chil- 
dren, James R. and Mrs. Sarah A. Gossard. 

Mr. Vannorsdall received a very limited education, owing to the meager 
school facilities of his day. However, he was very much interested in educa- 
tion and by diligent study at home, qualified himself as a public school teacher. 
He taught school for a few years in his younger days and after his marriage 
at the age of twenty-two began to farm. Fie started out by renting eighty 
acres and later bought a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, and with 
this small farm began a career which has seldom been equalled in Fayette 
county. Year after year found him more prosperous and able to add to his 
holdings, until at the present time he is the owner of sixteen hundred acres 
of fine farming land in Fayette and Greene counties. Two hundred and ten 
acres of his land is in Paint township, fifty acres in Greene county, and the 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 739 

rest in Jefferson township. It is needless to say that he has been progressive 
and enterprising in all of his business transactions, for his extensive land 
holdings are a sufficient proof that he has been very successful. 

Mr. Vannorsdall was married September 4, 1853, to Susannah Horney, 
the daughter of Jefferson and Margaret (Griffith) Horney, and to this union 
twelve children have been born. 

The family are all members of the Methodist Protestant church and have 
always been generous contributors to its maintenance. Mr. Vannorsdall is a 
heavy stockholder and a director in the Farmers Bank. Several years ago he 
was president of this bank, but on account of advancing age, retired from the 
active management of its aft'airs. 



FORD ERVIN. 



A self-made farmer and enterprising citizen of Paint township, Fayette 
county, Ohio, is Ford Ervin, who has a fine farm of one hundred and twenty- 
five acres on the Ervin pike, about twelve miles north of Washington C. H. 
He was born July 2, 1874. in Madison county, Ohio, and is the son of 
William and Clara (Carr) Ervin. William Ervin w^as the son of Joel Ervin 
and was a native of this county. Ten children w^ere born to William Ervin 
and wife, Ludema, who is married ; Smith, deceased ; Orpha, deceased, 
who w'as the wife of A. D. Lukens, and the mother of one son, Roy; Ger- 
trude, who is married; Bethards, of Sedalia, Ohio; O. W. ; A. O., a 
physician and surgeon of New Holland, Ohio; Ford, whose history is here 
presented; L. L., w'ho is farming the old home place in Madison county; 
Addie, deceased, who was the wife of Mr. Duff, and left one daughter. 
Laurel ; Clara, who is still at home. 

Ford Ervin was educated in the district schools of Madison county and 
later attended the South Solon high school in the same county. He worked 
with his father on the home farm until he was married at the age of twenty- 
six, when he and his brother bought a farm of twenty acres and began to farm 
it in partnership. A few years later he disposed of his interest in this farm 
and bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres. He is a 
progressive young farmer and is deserving of much credit for the success 
which has come to him. 

Mr. Ervin was married on Christmas day, 1900, to Inez M. Parrett, and 



740 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

to this union two daughters have been born, Louise, born May 8, 1904, and 
Martha, born March 31, 1906. 

Politically, Mr. Ervin is a Republican, but has never been active in 
political matters. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 



THOMAS HARPER. 



There was born in Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio, seventy-seven 
years ago, a lad who was destined to become one of the most substantial men 
of his township. Born in a rude log cabin near the present village of Octa, 
Thomas Harper, a gallant soldier of the Civil War and one of the largest 
land owners of Jasper township, has lived such a life as to merit the hearty 
esteem and respect with which he is held by every one with whom he is 
acquainted. His father was one of the early pioneers of this county and a 
worthy citizen who was deeply interested in the welfare of his community. 
It is needless to state that the man who accumulates a farm of seven hun- 
dred acres solely through his initiative and effort is deserving of a great 
amount of credit. It takes close economy, good business methods and man- 
agement as well as incessant industry to bring this about and these have 
been the characteristics which have marked the career of Mr. Harper. He 
still retains an unusual amount of energy, and although he is now seventy- 
seven years of age, he worked in the hai-vest fields in the summer of 1914, 
performing a very satisfactory day's work. It is such men who have made 
this county what it is today. 

Thomas Harper, the son of James and Christina (Rankin) Harper, was 
born September 10, 1837, in a log cabin in Jasper township. His father 
was born in Virginia and came with his parents, also natives of Virginia, to 
Fayette county, Ohio, shortly after its organization in 1810. James Harper 
died in 1848 when Thomas was a lad of eleven years of age, leaving his 
widows with a family of six children, Mrs. Mahala Allen, Thomas, John, Mrs. 
Barbara Pierson, Mrs. Elizabeth Allen and Cyrus. Of these children, John 
and Barbara are deceased, while the others are still living. 

Thomas Harper received the limited education which was afforded by 
the ])rimitive schools of his day, although he was fortunate in being able to 
attend a select school in his home neighborhood. He was married before 
the Civil War and started in life on a farm of forty-three acres, most of 
which was covered with brush and water. From this small beginning he has. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 74! 

risen to a prominence which justifies his inchision among the most substantial 
men of the township. His extensive land holdings of seven hundred acres 
bear ample witness of the prosperity which has attended his efforts and show 
that he is a man of more than ordinary ability. During the Civil War he and 
his brother, Cyrus, enlisted in the service of their country. Cyrus was a 
member of the ca\'alry branch of the service, and Thomas was a member of 
Company G, One Hundred Sixty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 
He served one year and then returned to his farm w^here he has since resided. 

Mr. Harper was married in 1859 to Rachel Hargrove, the daughter of 
Hubert and Millie (Oliver) Hargrove, and to this union have been born six 
children, Wallace, James, Charles, Lucinda, Christina and Estelle, all of 
whom are still living with the exception of James. 

Mr. Harper is a loyal member of the Grand Arm}- of the Republic and 
deeply interested in everything pertaining to the w^elfare of the old soldiers. 
He and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, in wdiose welfare they are greatly interested. 



GRANT DeWITT. 



One of the most prominent stock dealers of Washington C. H. is (jrant 
De\Vitt, w ho was born in tliis county during the Civil War. He is engaged 
in farming, the buying and shipping of straw and has owned and developed 
one of the best racing horses which ever went out of Fayette county. Still 
later he engaged in the buying and shipping of cattle and is now engaged 
in this particular line of activity. 

Grant DeWitt, the son of John and Martha (Rittenhouse) DeW^itt. was 
born in Fayette county, Ohio, four miles south of Washington C. H., on the 
Chillicothe pike, July 7, 1862. His parents, who were natives of W^ashing- 
ton C. H., and Ross county, Ohio, respectively, reared a family of seven 
children: Mary Jane, the wife of James Kearney, deceased; Arvilla, de- 
ceased, who w^as the wife of Christopher Parrett; Nellie, the wife of Charles 
Bowdell. of Hartford City, Indiana; Grant, of Washington C. H. ; Frank, 
also of Washington C. H., and two who died in infancy, the eldest and 
youngest, both girls. 

John H. DeWitt was reared on a farm four miles east of Washington 
C. H., in \\'ayne township, and was a farmer and stock buyer. He owned a 
farm of one hundred and sixtv-five acres on wdiich he lived until his death at 
(48) 



742 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

the age of sixty. His wife died Septenil:er. 1902. She was a memljer of the 
United Brethren church. John H. DeWitt held \arious township ofiices and 
was also county commissioner at one time. 

The paternal grandparents of Grant DeW'itt were John and Mary 
(Barker) DeWitt, natives of Kentucky and pioneer settlers in Fayette 
county, Ohio, where they li\cd in Wayne township until their death. They 
reared a large famil}- of children: Stephen D., Anderson, Darlington, 
Greenup, John, Jesse, Jane Allen, Rachel Prior, Candace Goldsbury. The 
maternal grandparents of Grant DeAA'itt were Tillman and Permelia (Tully) 
Rittenhouse, natives of X'irginia and pioneer settlers in Ross county, Ohio. 
Tillman Rittenhouse A\as a judge of the Ross county circuit court for twelve 
years and also a farmer, tie lived on his farm of seven hundred acres all 
the time that he was serving as judge of the court. Tillman Rittenhouse 
and wife were the parents of four children, James, William, Betsey and 
Martha. After the death of his first wife, Tillman Rittenhouse married 
Susan Shobe. and to this second union five children were born, Amanda, 
Chlora, Jack, Lewis and Minerva. 

Grant DeWitt was reared on his fatlier's farm in Union township and 
attended the district schools of his home neighborhood. He remained on 
the home farm until he was grown and then went to farming on his own 
account, later buying and shi])ping straw from Washington C. H. Still later 
he engaged in the raising of race horses. He owned and developed Lady 
Lancaster, a natixe track performer and the dam of six horses who made 
worthy records on the track throughout the state of Ohio. He finally dis- 
continued the lireeding of race horses and engaged in the buying arid ship- 
ping of cattle and is still engaged in this particular line of business. He 
mo\Td into Washington C. H. in 1912, and now has a comfortable home 
at Xo. 22 T Columbus avenue. 

Mr. DeWitt was married December ly . 1S92, to Sarah Catherine Dick, 
the daughter of Camillus H. and Alsina Jane (Arehart) Dick, and to this 
union three children ha^•e been born, Frank Harrod (known as "Jack"), 
John Howard and Nellie Rittenhouse. 

Mrs. De\\'itt was born in Champaign county, Illinois, September 8, 
1872. Her father was also a native of Illinois and her mother of Fayette 
county, Ohio. Her father died in 1881, at the age of thirty-four, and her 
mother is still living at the age of sixty-one. Two children were born to her 
parents, Sarah Catherine and Otta ^lay. The paternal grandparents of Airs. 
DeWitt were John and Rebecca Dick, natives of Illinois, who died at an 
advanced age after rearing a large family of children, William, Martin, 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 743 

John. Stewart, ("aiiiillns H., Airs. Cass Ann Johnson and Airs. Jane Grimm. 
The maternal grandparents of Airs. DeWitt were Solomon and Sarah Ann 
(Alyers) Arehart, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Fayette connty. 
Ohio. Air. and Airs. Arehart reared a large family of children, Amalgah, 
Oscar, Alsina J., Mary Catherine. Florence Virginia, Clara Elizabeth and 
Laura A lay. 

Air. and Airs. DeW'itt are loyal members of the Alethodist Episcopal 
church and generous contrilmtors to its maintenance. In politics. Air. De- 
W'itt is an independent voter, preferring to cast his ballot for the best men 
irresjicctive of their political at^lliations. 



GEORGE SAIIDLEY 



A successful, self-made farmer of A/Iarion township, is George Smidley, 
the owner of the "Elmwood Stock Farm" of three hundred and fifty acres. 
He is recognized as one of the energetic farmers of Fayette county, who, by 
his enterprise and progressi\-e methods, has contributed in a material way to 
the advancement of the locality where he lives. In the course of an honorable 
career he has been successful along the lines to which his efforts have been 
directed, and enjoys distinctive prestige among the representative men of his 
community. He is a splendid type of a self-made American and has always 
borne his full share of the burden of civic life, being the trustee of his towm- 
ship at the present time. 

George Smidley, the son of William and Elizabeth (Boblet) Smidley, 
was born July 3, 1867. in Ross county, Ohio. His father is still living in 
Illinois, while his mother is deceased and buried in the New Holland ceme- 
tery in this county. William Smidley was the son of Philip Smidley, who 
came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in an early day. 

George Smidley was the only child born to his parents and was educated 
in the common schools of Ross and Fayette counties, coming to this county 
wh.en he Avas thirteen years of age with his parents. He worked on the 
farm bv the month and day from the age of thirteen until he bought a farm 
of his own. It was located in ^\'ayne township, Fayette county. He man- 
aged this farm for a number of years and then sold it and bought his present 
farm of three hundred and fifty acres in Alarion township. In addition to 
farming his own fann he rents an additional one hundred and fifty acres. 
This gives him a farm of five hundred acres to operate, one of the largest 



744 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

farms under the control of one farmer in the township. The farm is weh im- 
proA-ed and equipped with all the latest machinery for successful farming. 
\\'hile he raises all of the crops usually grown in this locality, he makes a 
specialty of stock raising and sells several car loads of stock annually. 

Mr. Smidley was married Decemher 20, iSS'Q. to Minnie Whitmer, the 
daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Brittenham) Wdiitmer. Mrs. Smidley's 
father was a native of Perry county, Ohio, while her mother was reared at 
New Holland in Fayette county. Mr. Smidley and his wife are the parents 
of six children: Mervin, deceased; an infant, deceased; and four children 
who are still living. Floyd R., Iva, Roy and Gladys. 

The Democratic party claimed the support of Mr. Smidley for many 
vears but he votes now for the man he considers best qualified to fill the office. 
He is now serving as trustee of Marion township and filling this oftice to the 
entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens, irrespective of their politics. Fra- 
ternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, while religiously, 
he and his familv are loyal and consistent members of the Christian church. 
Air. Smidlev has been a potent factor in the civic life of his community and 
has always taken a prominent part in the development of the best interests 
of his neighbors. He is a man of pleasing address and easily makes friends. 
Because of his upright character, marked ability and pleasing disposition, he 
is rightlv classed among the representative men of his township and county. 



DAVID LONG. 



A retired farmer of Bloomingburg, Ohio, who h.as a fine farm of two 
hundred acres in Madison township, is Da\'id Long, who was born in Ross 
county, near Chillicothe, Ohio. He is the son of John W. and Eliza (Lee- 
done) Long, who came to this county when David was a lad of fourteen. 
Ten children were born to John W. Long and wife, Drusilla, Dawson, Cyrus 
H., David, Emma, William P., Allen, Francis F.. John and Cora. 

David Long attended the schools of his home county and later finished 
his education in the schools of Fayette county. He worked on his father's 
farm until his marriage and then began farming for himself. By diligent 
effort and good management he has accumulated a fine farm of two hundred 
acres, which is one of the most attractive farms of the township. 

Mr. Long was married February 26, 1879, to Naomi ^^' ilson, the daugh- 
ter of James C. and Rachel (Groves) Wilson. To this union four children 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 745 

ha\-e been born, Warren, Willard R., Ruth E. and Glenn. Warren married 
Mary Hidy and has two children, Enimeline and Jane. Willard R. married 
L. Snyder, and has two sons, Robert and Ronald. Ruth E. and Glenn are 
still single and living with their parents. 

Politically, Mr. Long is affiliated with the Democratic party, but has 
always preferred gi^■ing his attention to his agricultural affairs rather than 
taking an active part in political matters. He and his family are earnest 
members of the Methodist Protestant church, and takes a deep interest in 
its various activities. Mr. Long has always been interested in educational 
matters. He has served as a member of the Paint township school board and 
is now one of the five members of the county board of education. 



FRANK DEWrrT. 



The DeWitt family was one of the first to settle in Eayette county, 
Ohio. Peter DeWitt came to this county from Kentucky in 1805, purchased 
one thousand acres of land on Turkey creek and Ijuilt the first house in 
Wayne township, a rude log cabin, which is still standing. The DeWitt 
family is of German ancestry, the- first member of the family to come to this 
country being Peter De,Witt, who came to America several years before the 
Revolutionary War. He fought during that struggle and later became one of 
the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. In 1805 he, with his wife, Jane Bray, and 
family, located in Wayne township, or rather on land which is now within 
that township. The county was not organized until 1810 and by that 
time he had a considerable tract cleared and in cultivation. It is not known 
how many children Peter DeWitt had, although it is certain that three 
sons, John, Henry and Gabriel, were the first settlers on the land now com- 
prehended within Fayette county. Each of the three brothers built a brick 
house on his farm and all three of the houses are still standing and occupied. 
John DeWitt grew to manhood in this county and married Polly Barker. He 
was a soldier in the War of 1812 and lived to the advanced age of ninety, 
his wife being past ninety-two years of age at the time of her death. John 
De\\'itt and his wife, Polly Barker, were the parents of ten children. Eve- 
line, Jane, Anderson, Darlington. Decatur, Greenup, Rachel, John, Jesse 
and Candace. 

John DeWitt. one of the ten children of John and Polly (Barker) 
DeWitt, was born in Fayette countv, Ohio, while his wife, Martha Ritten- 



746 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

house, was l)orn in Ross count}-, Ohio. He was a farmer and stock raiser 
and one of the most successful men of his township. At the time of his 
death, November 8, 1888, he owned four hundred and fifty acres of fine 
farming land in Wayne township. His wife died in 1906, at the age of 
seventv-two. John DeWitt and wife were the parents of seven children: 
Janev, deceased, who was the wife of James Kearney: Arvilla, deceased, 
who was the wife of C. S. Parrett : Nellie, the wife of C. M. Bowdle, of 
Hartford City. Indiana : Grant, of Washington C. H. : Frank, of Washing- 
ton C. H., and t\\o who died in infancy. 

The maternal grandparents of Frank DeWitt were Tillman and Ma- 
tilda (Tully) Rittenhouse. They were natives of P.oss county, Ohio, and 
died in that county at an advanced age. Tillman Rittenhouse was an exten- 
si\e farmer, a lawver and a circuit judge for several years. He was twice 
married, and bv his iirst marriage to j^\Iatilda Tully he had the following- 
children : Janies, Amanda and Martha. His second wife was Betsy Shole, 
and to this union three children were born. Jackson, ^linerva and Lewis 
Cass. He was an educated and brilliant man, a man of marked influence m 
his day and generation. 

Frank DeWitt, the fourth of the family in direct descent to live in this 
countv, was reared on the same farm on which his great-grandfather settled 
in 1805. He attended the district schools and remained under the parental 
roof until he was twentv-four years of age. He then began teaching school 
and for ii tteen or sixteeii years taught scliool in this county. He made a 
splendid record as a school teacher, but finally gave up the profession for 
the farm. He operated a farm in Wayne township until al)out five years 
ago. when he moved t<> Washington C. FI., and engaged in the buying and 
shipping of live stock, an industry in which he has been very successful. 

Mr. DeWitt was married on Deceml)er 2/. 1896, in the Arlington Hotel, 
in Washington C. H., where his father was l)orn. His wife is Cora Lucas, 
the daughter of William and Jeannette (White) Lucas, and to this union 
has been born one daughter, Winona. 3>Irs. DeWitt was born in Lnion 
township, l)()th of her parents lieing natives of Wayne township, and now 
living in Washington. C. H. William Lucas and wife are the parents of 
seven children, Alcester, Clara, Lelah, Sherman, Cora, Jessie and Orban. 
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. DeWitt were Richard and Matilda 
(Rov\'e) Lucas, natives of Ohio and pioneers in Fayette county. Richard 
Lucas and wife were the parents of four children, William, Samantha, Mar- 
tha and Mary. 

Mr. DeWitt has been an extensive traveler and has made several trips 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 747 

to Europe. He is well informed on all the current topics of the day and is 
able to discuss them in an intelligent manner. He is a puljlic-spirited citizen 
who is interested in every measure proposed for the benefit of his city, and 
a man highly esteemed liy all who know him. 



JOSEPH M. ARNOTT. 



Among the representative men and public-spirited citizens of hayette 
county. Ohio, is Joseph E. Arnott. a prosperous farmer of Perry township, 
a man who has always been deeply interested in the welfare of his com- 
munity. He has made his influence felt for good in his locality, and. l^emg 
a man of sterling worth, whose life has been closely interw^oven with the 
history of the community in which he resides, he well merits inclusion among 
the representative men of his county. Plis efforts have always been directed 
along proper lines and in the material advancement of his county, as well as 
its social and moral welfare, he has always been greatly interested. The 
well regulated life he lias led has won for him the respect and admiration 
of his fellow citizens and in all the relations of life he has proved a man 
among men and is well deserving of the confidence which h.as been reposed 

in him. 

Joseph M. Arnott. the present trustee of Perr}- township, was born 
September 2. 1862, in Madison township, in this county. He is the son of 
Nathan and Mary (Towne) Arnott. his father also l)eing a native of Madison 
township. Nathan Arnott was the son of Andrew and Jane (Douglass) 
Arnott. natives of Virginia and early settlers in Eayette county. Nathan 
Arnott and wife reared a family of nine children, Mrs. Cory Wilson. W' illiam, 
Joseph M.. Mrs. Alary Wilson, Mrs. Fisher Eeverton. Erank, Mrs. Esther 
Limes, Mrs. Tirzah Odell and Elizabeth. All of these children are still living 
except h>ank and Esther. 

Joseph M. Arnott finished the common schools of Madison township 
and then entered the high school at Greenfield and completed the four years' 
course. Until he graduated from high school he spent all of his winters 
from the age of six in the school room while his summer vacations were 
spent on his father's farm assisting with the work of the farm. After leav- 
ing school he worked with his father on the home farm until he reached the 
ag^e of twenty-three when he married and began farming for himself on his 
present farm'. He has one hundred and fifty acres of hii^hly productive 



748 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

land on the Chesterfield road in Perry township on which he grows all of 
the grains common to this section of the state. In addition he pays con- 
siderable attention to the raising of a high grade of live stock and is uni- 
formly successful in both phases of farming. 

Mr. Arnott was married January 21, 1886, to Sarah A. Dwyer. the 
daughter of Carey A. and Eliza J. (Irwin) Dwyer, and to this union has been 
born one son, Frank, who married Minnie Pinkerton. 

Politically, Mr. Arnott is a Republican and a firm believer in the prin- 
ciples of that party. He has always taken an active part in the political 
affairs of his township and county, and his party, recognizing his ability as a 
man and his integrity as a public-spirited citizen, nominated him for the im- 
portant ofince of trustee of Perry township. His subsequent election to this 
important office indicates that he has the confidence of his fellow citizens and 
his administration of the affairs of the office has shown that this confidence 
was not misplaced. He is a man of genial disposition and kindly impulses 
and has a host of friends throughout the township and county who admire 
him for his good qualities of head and heart. 



CHARLES HERBERT BROWN ELL. 

One of the old and well estal.)lished business firms of Washington C. H., 
Fayette county, Ohio, is that of C. Fl. Brownell &^ Sons, which was estab- 
lished in this place more than half a century ago. Charles Herbert Brownell, 
who, with his brother, Henry B., conducts the business, has been a life-long 
resident of Washington C. H.. and (hu-ing his whole career has been actively 
interested in e\ery thing which has been advanced for the general welfare 
of the community. 

Charles Herbert Brownell. of the firm of C. H. Brownell & Sons, was 
born in Washington C. H., Ohio, November 24, 1873. He is the son of 
Charles Henry and Ruth (Barnett) Brownell, natives of New York state, and 
the parents of four children, Lucy Richmond, John C, Harry B. and Charles 
Herbert. John C. died in infancy and the other three children are still living. 

Charles Henry Brownell was born in Chautauqua county. New York, 
and was reared to manhood in that state. L'pon reaching manhood he be- 
came a teacher in the public schools of New York, and later came to Ohio 
and located at Chillicothe. Flere he met Ruth Barnett, who later became 
his wife, and they were married in her home in Rensselaer county, New York. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 749 

Charles Henry Brownell and his young bride came from ChilHcothe to Wash- 
ington C. H. on x^pril 29, 1866, and Mr. Brownell at once became interested 
in the buying and selling of eggs and poultry. Success attended his efforts 
from the first and soon after the war he took his brother, David Sherman 
Brownell. in with him as his partner. They continued together until the 
death of Da\id in iS'92. From 1872 to 1882 the Brownell Brothers were 
engaged in the retail grocery business, but the growth of the poultry and 
egg trade was such that they felt that it demanded all of their attention, so 
they retired from the grocery business. For a period of fifty-two years the 
firm now known as C. H. Brownell & Sons has been the leading firm in the 
egg and poultry business in this section of the state. The business has grown 
by leaps and bounds, and now three large buildings are retjuired to take care 
of the large trade. The company now has branch offices in Columbus, Ohio, 
Boston, Massachusetts, and Newark, New Jersey. 

The paternal grandparents of Charles Herbert Brownell were David and 
Thankful ( Brownell) Brownell, natives of New York and of English descent. 
David Brownell and his wife lived all of their days in Chautauqua county, 
New York, where they reared a family of nine children : Prudence Jane, 
Lucinda, Benjamin, Charles Henry, Simeon, David Sherman, Harriet and 
Huldah. The maternal grandparents, John and Jerusha (Sweet) Barnett, 
were also l^orn in New "^'ork and died in Rensselaer, New York, at an ad- 
vanced age. John Barnett and wife reared a large family of children: 
Smith, Esther, Sarah. Nathaniel, Mary, Ruth, George. Deborah, Betsey, 
Alphia and two wlio died in infanc}-. Charles Henry Brownell died July 9, 
1902, at the age of sixty-seven, and his widow is still living at the advanced 
age of eighty. They were l^oth loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and took a deep interest in its success. 

Charles Herliert Brownell recei\'ed liis education in the public schools 
of Washington C. H., and then entered Ohio AVesleyan University, from 
which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1896. He 
then entered the employ of his father in the egg and poultry business and 
later Ijecame a member of the firm, to which he has since devoted his sole 
attention. His brother, Henry Barnett Brownell, is a member of the firm, 
which is still managed under the old firm name of C. H. Brownell & Sons. 
Mr. Browaiell is a successful business man and the firm has built up a business 
which has assumed a place of first rank in Fayette county. He is president 
of Brownell Sons Company, of Columbus, Ohio, and also president of 
Brownell Boston Companv, of Boston, Massachusetts. 



750 FAYETTE COUNTY. OHIO. 

Mr. Brownell was married December 6, 1899, at Clyde, Ohio, to Mabel 
Huntley, the daughter of George P. and Laura (Kennedy) Huntley. To 
this union six children have been born: Charles Huntley, born June 8, 1901 ; 
Laura Huntley, born June 15, 1903; Elizabeth Huntley, born June 3, 1904; 
Roma Huntley, born June 8, 1906; George Huntley, born Alarch 7, 1908, 
and Dean Ltuntley, l)orn December 24, 1909. Mrs. Brownell has a brother 
and a sister, A. K. and Roma. 

Politically, Mr. Brownell is identified with the Republican party and 
the family are meml)ers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



HENRY BARNETT BROWNELL. 

The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one 
of the honored citizens of Washington C. H., Ohio. He has li\ed here all 
his life and for a number of years has been identified with the commercial 
interests of this community. 

Henry Barnett Brownell, member of the old and well-knuwn firm of 
C. H. Brownell & Sons, was born in W'asliington C. H., Ohio, on September 
3, 1869. His parents, Charles Henry and Ruth (Barnett) Brownell, were 
natives of New York state, and they were the parents of four children: 
Lucy Richmond Brownell; John D., who died in infancy; Henry B., the im- 
mediate subject of this sketch, and Charles Herbert, the business partner of 
the subject. Charles Henry Brownell was born in Chautauqua county. New 
"^'ork. but left there in voung manliood. b'or a few years he engaged in 
teaching school and then settled at Chillicothe, Ohio. There he met her who 
became his wife and they were married in her old home at North Hoosic, 
Rensselaer county. New York. On April 29, 1862, they came from Chilli- 
cothe to Washington C. H.. and here Mr. Brownell engaged in the egg and 
poultry business, on a small scale. He was successful in that enterprise and 
soon after the war his brother, David Sherman Brownell, became associated 
with him. This partnership was dissolved by the death of David in 1892. 
The brothers were also in the retail grocery business for ten years, from 
1872 to 1882, when it was discontinued, but the poultry and egg business is 
still in active operation, as it has been for a period of fifty-two years, having 
long been known as the leading firm in the specific line in this section of the 
country. The business has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth and now three 
large buildings are employed in the local plant. The firm runs a store in 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 75! 

Columlins, Ohio, one in Boston, AJassaclnisetts, and also has close connec- 
tions with a large establishment in Ne\\ark, Xew Jersey. 

Reverting to the subject's ancestral record, it is noted that the paternal 
grandparents, David and Thank fnl (Brownell) Brownell, were natives of 
New York state and of English descent. They Ijoth died in Chautauqua 
county, New York, he at an advanced age and she in middle life. They had 
nine children. Prudence Jane, Lucinda. Benjamin, Charles Henry, Simeon, 
David Sherman, Harriet and Huldah. The maternal grandparents, John 
and Jerusha (Sweet) Barnett. were also natives of New York, though of 
Scotch-Irish descent. They were farming folk, and they died in Rensselaer, 
when quite old. They had a large family, namely : Smith, Esther, Sarah. 
Nathaniel, Mary, Ruth. George. Deborah. Betsey, Alphia and two who died 
in infancy. The sul)ject's father died on July 9, 1902, aged sixty-seven years. 
He is survived by his widow, who is now nearly eighty years old. They 
both affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they w^ere ever 
faithful. 

Henry B. Brownell. the immediate subject of this re\'iev\-. was reared 
in Washington. C. H.. securing his elementary education in its pu])lic schools. 
He then attended Ohio W'esleyan University, at Delaware. Ohio, where he 
was graduated in 1890. He then entered the employ of his father in the egg 
and poultry business and, upon the death of his uncle, David S., his father's 
partner, he was made a member of the firm and has from that time given 
his attention unremittingly to the development of the business. His brother, 
Charles H.. is now a member of the firm, which is still conducted under the 
old firm name of C. H. Brownell & Sons. 

Politically, Mr. Brownell is a supporter of the Republican party and 
has served two terms as a member of the city council and a term as a mem- 
ber of the board of education. Religiously, he and his wife are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a steward and an acti\-e 
worker. 

On the 5th day of January, 1898. Mr. Brownell was married to Caroline 
Heltman, who was born in Ashland. Ohio, the daughter of \\''illiam G. and 
Mary (Rebman) Heltman. To this union have been born six children. Ruth 
Heltman, David Sherman. Mary Helen, Portia Heltman, Henry Barnett and 
Alice Heltman. 

Mrs. Brownell's parents are natives of Ohio and are now residing in 
Ashland. They have seven children li\'ing, J. Halleck, Mary Ellen, Emma, 
Caroline, Frank, George and Golda. Mrs. Brownell's paternal grandparents. 



752 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

Joseph G. and Catherine (Goldman) Heltman, were natives of Germany, 
while her maternal grandparents, John and Fannie (Houseman) Redman, 
were nati\es of Pennsylvania, though of German descent. 



JACOB C. SMITH. 



The Smith family, now represented by Jacob C. Smith, one of the most 
substantial farmers of Paint township, this county, was probably the first 
family to locate in Fayette county on the present site of Washington C. H. 
Edward Smith, Sr., the grandfather of Jacob C. Smith, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, married in that state and located in Fayette county, Ohio, in iSio, 
the same year the county was organized. He entered land along the waters 
of Paint creek, since called the East fork, and erected his rude wigwam in 
the midst of an unbroken forest. He commenced clearing and improving 
his land, but suddenly the War of i8'i2 broke in on his arrangements and, 
with his neighbors, he volunteered and served in the defense of his country. 
At the close of this war he returned to his home in this county and took up 
the task of clearing and improving his farm. Upon returning home one 
night from the county seat he attempted to cross a creek and was thrown 
from his horse and drowned. Edward Smith, Sr., married Margaret Cassel- 
man, in Pennsylvania, and to this marriage ten children were born, all of 
whom grew to maturity, married and reared families of their own. These 
children in the order of their ages are as follows: Sarah, Casselman, Mary, 
Susan, Rachel, Eliza, Selina. Edward. July and Maggie. 

Edward Smith. Jr., was born in Pennsylvania and came here with his 
parents in 1810. He grew to manhood in Fayette county and married Nancy 
Kukel, and to this union ten cliildren were born: Alary. Jacob C, Richard, 
James Madison. Lewis. John R., Luther, Rachel, William and Noah. Of 
these ten children, Mary, Richard, John and Luther are deceased, while the 
others are married and have families of their own. 

Jacob C. Smith, the grandson of the first member of the family to 
come to this county, was born in Union township, this county, July 20, 1835. 
He has been life-long farmer and it is his boast that for seventy years 
he has never lost a summer in the harvest field. He received a very meager 
education, since the schools of his day were limited in their instruction. He 
remained at home until twentv-fi^'e vears of age and then l)e"an rentine: land 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 753 

from his father. He moved upon his present farm, five miles north of 
Washington C. H., in 1873, and has now hved upon it more than forty years. 
As he lias prospered from year to year he has added to his land holdings and 
now owns three separate farms, aggregating three hundred and four acres. 
One farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres is the one on which he is 
now residing; another of one hundred acres is near his own home place in 
Union township, while the other farm of eigiity acres is in the same town- 
ship. He has always been a heavy stock raiser, giving particular attention 
to the raising of hogs, in which he has been very successful. 

Mr. Smith was married January 6, 1859, to Every MacLean, the daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Lucinda (Bush) MacLean, and to this union were born 
seven children: Mrs. Luella Bitsen, who has one son, Willard; Mrs. Nancy 
Droce, who has two children, Emma and Howard, deceased; Mrs. Ida 
Baughn; Joseph E., who married Miss Swinehart ; Norman, deceased; Airs. 
Mary Reed, who has two sons, Loren and Herbert ; and William. The 
mother of these seven children died September 7, 1890. She was a faithful 
and consistent memlier of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Mr. Smith, while not taking an active part in politics, is interested in 
all matters of local interest, and always lends his influence to aid in promotino- 
the good of the community in which he has resided so long. 



JAMES W^ CAMPBELL. 



-V successful tiller of the soil is James W. Campbell, now farming the 
Humphrey Jones estate of three hundred acres in Wayne township, Fayette 
county, Ohio. Although not a natixe of this county, yet his many years 
of residence here have served to identify him w^ith the various interests of 
the county. He is progressive in his agricultural methods and by good man- 
agement and the proper application of the latest and most improved methods 
has become recognized as a good example of the twentieth century farmer. 

James W. Campbell, the son of David and Susannah (Iman) Campbell, 
was born April 9, 1864, i" Ross county, Ohio, near Bainbridge. David Camp- 
bell, the son of George Campbell, was born near \Vaverley, Ohio, and' was 
one of nine children. David Campbell and wife reared a family of nine 
children, George, John, Jacob, Hezekiah, William, Kate, Nancy, James W. 
and one who died in infancy. 



754 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

James W. Campbell was educated in the common schools of Pike county, 
Ohio, and from his earliest bo}diood days has devoted himself to agricul- 
tural pursuits. He married at the age of eighteen and since that time has 
worked for \arious farmers. He worked for Martin Groves for eleven 
>ears and then spent two years in the service of William Rogers. He then 
worked two years for Allan Peters, a year for Kelly Dixon and then a short 
time on the Snyder farm. In Adarch, 1914, he assumed the management 
of the Humphrey Jones estate of three hundred acres in Wayne township, 
J-'avette countv, Ohio, and is now in charge of this large farm. He has kept 
abreast of the latest methods of agriculture and by a judicious combination 
of stock and crop raising has become recognized as a farmer of ability. 

yir. Campbell was married January 20, 1882, to Emma D. Allison. To 
this union have been born nine children, Wilbur, Irene, Susan. Hugh K., 
Edgar, Porter, Alvin, Grace and George. This family are consistent mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



JAMES T. PERRILL. 



Among the farmers of Eayette county who believe in following twen- 
tieth-century methods in the conduct of their business, is James T. Perrill, of 
the vicinitv of Union township. lie comes of a splendid family, one that has 
alwavs been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and 
morality and for all that contri])Utes to the well-being of the commonwealth. 
Such people are welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders 
and as such ha\e pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and on- 
ward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretclimg 
plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields and 
thriving villages and cities. 

James T. Perrill. known as one of the most thorough and painstaking 
farmers of this section, living on his homestead of two hundred acres located 
about three and one-half miles from ^Vashington C. H., first saw the light 
of day on November 23, 1866. He was born on the old Perrill home in 
lasper township, this county, the son of James and Rebecca (Chenoweth) 
Perrill. fames, father of the subject, was born near Cynthiana in Pike 
■county, his father having been a native of Virginia. He was a farmer 
throughout his life and came to this county when a boy of twelve years. 



FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 755 

Previous to that, his father died and was buried in Pike county. Upon 
coming to this county. James Perrill settled in Jasper township, where he 
became known as one of the successful and influential citizens. He passed 
the remainder of his life there and is buried near his old home. The subjecr 
is one of a family of seven children, being the fourth child in order of birth. 
The oldest child of the family died in earliest infancy; the second child is 
Mrs. Jennie Shoup, whose husband is assistant superintendent of the Chicago 
( Illinois) schools and a man very prominent in educational circles, being as- 
sistant to Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, Chicago's famous woman superintendent. 
The third child of the family is May, then comes John, whose wife was 
Grace Burnett. Carrie married Charles Beard, wdio is a farmer near Oak- 
town, Indiana, in the fertile Wabash valley. Ciilbert, the voungest of the 
family, married Anna Slagle. 

When a youth, the subject received an excellent education. He first 
attended the schools of Jasper township, near the Perrill home, later attend- 
ing the ]\Iallow school and recei\-ed the higher grades at Waverly, this state. 
He was interested in the work about the home farm from the time of his 
early boyhood and received from his father careful training in all that goes 
to make a successful farmer. When twenty-two years of age he decided 
upon agriculture as his life vocation and at that time began working for him- 
self. His first venture along this line was the renting of a certain tract of 
land, which he farmed for some time with good results. He some time later 
purchased his present farm and has made that his home for the past twenty- 
five }'ears. He is an excellent farmer, meeting with excellent results in his 
crops and finding the raising of live stock a lucrative side line. 

On March 2"], 1889, Mr. Perrill was united in marriage with Nona 
Henkle, daughter of Curran and Caroline Henkle. Air. and Mrs. Perrill 
b.a\'e been blessed with three children, the eldest of whom is their daughter 
Ruth, who is the wife of John W. Shoup, and the mother of one daughter. 
Xaomi Marion, who is a graduate of high school. Virgil, eldest son of the 
subject, received his elementary education in the schools of this locality, later 
attending the Chicago Western University at Chicago, Illinois, being gradu- 
ated from that institution of learning w-ith the class of 1910. Williard H., 
the youngest of the family, is in school. 

Mr. Perrill is at present serving Union towaiship' as trustee, but as a rule 
does not desire public office for himself, being more interested in seeing 
others with such ambitions reach the goal for which they aspire. Mr. Per- 
rill's fraternal affiliation is with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 



756 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 

and he feels a keen interest in all that pertains to the well-being of that society. 
In every a^'enue of life's acti\'ities Mr. Perrill has performed his part to the 
best of his abilit}-, believing that what was worth doing at all was worthy 
of his best efforts, the result lieing that he has won and retains to a notable 
degree the sincere respect and confidence of all who know him. He has a 
vast field of acquaintances, among whom are many loyal, stanch and devoted 
friends and wherever he goes he receives a hearty welcome. Because of 
his genuine worth and interest in the community, he is specifically entitled to 
mention in a work of this character. 



JOHN PERRILL. 

The Perrill family was one of the earliest pioneer families of Fayette 
county, Ohio, and the ^■arious members of this family have taken a prominent 
part in the history of the county for more than a century. John Perrill. a sub- 
stantial farmer of Jasper township, was born December 8, 1859, on the old 
Perrill farm and is a son of James and Rebecca ( Chenoweth) Perrill. The 
reader is referred to the history of James Perrill found elsewhere in this 
volume for furtlier information concerning the Perrill family. 

John Perrill was educated in his home neighborhood and finished in the 
schools of Madison Alills. He remained at home until he was thirty-five 
years of age and then began farming for himself and now has a splendid 
farm of three hundred acres on the Jasper road, where he raises all of the 
crops common to this section of the state. 

Air. Perrill was married in 1905, to Grace Burnett, the daughter of Jesse 
and Mary (Johnson) Burnett, and to this union two cliildren ha\-e been born, 
Helen and Eugene. Air. Perrill is a Republican in politics and has been one 
of the leaders of his party in local political matters. At the present time he 
is serving with credit upon tlie school board of his township. 



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